This time last year, we as sports fans were without some of our favorite sports to watch, and the opportunity to attend sporting events was eliminated or limited. Now arenas and stadiums across the country are filled with fans once again, and the cheers and energy have returned.
Unfortunately, we're also seeing several incidents involving fans acting like fools just like they used to. Boos coming from the crowd are one thing, but when fans decide to throw objects, spit on players, yell obscenities and racial hate, and even run onto the court and fairway, it’s a concerning problem.
Instead of these fans celebrating the freedom they have to attend games again, they're using that freedom as a license to do whatever they feel like. They must think that paying for a ticket entitles them to act any way they want during a game.
For some reason, these fans have lost sight of what life was like without sports and have disrespected the privilege of being in attendance at a sporting event. These fans don’t understand their purpose for being there and instead try to steal the spotlight.
Although a ticket gives access to a seat in the arena, it doesn’t give fans the right to act inappropriately and go beyond the boundaries put in place for everyone to have the intended crowd experience.
Hopefully, none of us are these types of sports fans, but there is an important parallel to sin and grace worth unpacking today.
When we receive salvation through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made free from the bondage and eternal punishment of sin. Our spot in heaven has been paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross and as His followers, we have access to the same power that raised Him from the grave.
Thankfully, when we receive God’s grace, we are forgiven for all of our sins and live in freedom. Unfortunately, sometimes we misuse or misunderstand this freedom and grace and use it as an excuse to do whatever we feel like.
We may mistakenly think "our ticket to heaven has been paid, so now we can do what we want.” Just as ridiculous as the fans who run on the court, we might act like we're entitled and foolishly believe we have the right to go beyond the boundaries that God has in place.
Paul teaches us the right response to grace in Romans 6:1-4 (NLT) by asking these questions: ”Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
Jesus has called us to a new life, so we don’t have to return to our old way of doing things.
Paul continues by explaining what happened on the cross: ”When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:10-11; NLT).
Paul provides two more questions to consider and an important reminder for us: ”Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living” (Romans 6:15-16; NLT).
The truth is, we are undeserving of God’s amazing grace and we must remember what life was like without Him in our lives and hearts.
The privilege to know Him and the freedom we’ve been given should lead us to celebrate and lift Jesus up by honoring and respecting His intended plan for our lives.
Today, instead of using His grace as a license to sin, let’s appreciate God’s lovingkindness and choose to obey Him. Let's remember He’s the One we’re here for...and give Him all the glory!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for trying to steal the spotlight and using Your grace as an excuse to sin. Help me to understand the freedom I have because of Jesus and not to think it entitles me to sin. Thank you for Your love, grace, and kindness toward me. I’m so grateful that You saved me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what ways have you misused or misunderstood God’s grace and the freedom He offers us?
How does celebrating, honoring, and respecting what Jesus did on the cross change your perspective on choosing to sin?
Comments