Do They Deserve It?

The NFL playoffs are set, with the 14 teams in and preparing for their matchups. The last two teams to make it in were the Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who entered amid drama and questions.

On Saturday night, the Carolina Panthers faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a rainy game where all they had to do was win to make the playoffs. Instead, they lost to the Bucs 16-14.

Although some may say the Panthers deserved to win that game, given the poor officiating and missed calls that went against Carolina, they didn't get the win they needed to make the playoffs automatically.

Instead, they had to wait for the winner of the Saints and Falcons game on Sunday to determine their playoff fate. The Falcons ended up winning the game, which resulted in a three-way tie between them, the Bucs, and the Panthers, with Carolina securing the tie-breaker. 

Although many would argue that none of the teams in the NFC South deserve to make the Playoffs, the Panthers are the divisional champs and are in the postseason despite having an 8-9 record. They now face the Los Angeles Rams, whom they beat a few weeks ago. 

I'm a Panthers fan, and it's been a very interesting season. I'm not convinced this team deserves to host a home playoff game, but we'll take it! They're in! Keep Pounding!

Last night, during the final matchup of the 2025 NFL regular season, a heated rivalry game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers proved memorable. The winner of the game would become the AFC North champion and head to the playoffs, while the loser's season would be over.

The Steelers had the 26-24 lead with 55 seconds left in the game thanks to an Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass. The Ravens then received the ball and moved down the field, setting up the opportunity for their kicker to hit a game-winning field goal from 44 yards out. However, Tyler Loop mishit the ball, and it went wide right. The Steelers escaped with the win and now take on the Houston Texans. 

My friend Paul is a Steelers fan and made this comment in our group chat following the wild finish: "We didn't deserve to win that game. I'll take it!"

It's hard to discuss how the Panthers and Steelers made the playoffs without mentioning the words "deserved" and "undeserved," but either way, they have been declared postseason teams.

As we consider that reality, I want to unpack our own relationship with the words “deserve” and “undeserve.” I believe there are many times we act entitled and display an attitude that we deserve credit, accolades, awards, promotions, and blessings. In other words, we deserve to “be in.”

We tell ourselves that we did this and that, and that we deserve to be recognized or compensated. It may be true, but when driven to be rewarded for what we think we deserve, we can become prideful and selfish.

With that type of attitude, we might even tell God that we deserve His love and answered prayers because we did this or that for Him. We might also think we're such good people that, of course, God would love us and save us.

However, Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) explains, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

On the flip side, many people walk around with shame because of past mistakes, low self-esteem, negativity, and the mindset that they're undeserving of anything good. They look at their "8-9" record and think they don't belong in God's family or deserve to “be in” His presence.

They feel they've blown it and don't deserve any blessings, especially God's love and grace.

Thankfully, the Bible tells us in Romans 5:8 (NIV), "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Ultimately, yes, we must recognize that because of our sinfulness, disobedience, and pride, we do deserve God's wrath.

However, the truth is, God loves us so much that He was willing to send Jesus to pay our sin debt as the ultimate sacrifice and continues to pour His undeserved grace and mercy on us.

Romans 3:23-24 (AMP) declares, "Since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus."

Romans 6:23 (AMP) says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We are undeserving of it, but we need to let go of the shame and, by faith, willingly accept the wonderful gift of salvation and the love and grace God wants to give us.

In humility, we can keep an undeserving posture, but in no way should we reject what God is offering to us. He wants us to know Him, be in His family, and spend eternity with Him. Like Panthers and Steelers fans, we don't deserve it, but we'll take it, we're in!

As Romans 5:1 (AMP) tells us, "Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)."

As God continues to give us good gifts we don't deserve and allows us to experience Him and His blessings, let us proclaim Psalm 107:1 (ESV): "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!"

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm an undeserving sinner humbled by Your love and grace toward me. Thank you for allowing Your mercy to flow to me through Jesus. Help me to remain humble and aware of Your remarkable kindness and invitation to be in Your presence. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.