Fellowship of Christian Sports Fans

Lord knows I like many college football fans enjoy a good competitive football game. Personally, I prefer games end during regulation play; however the OU vs GA and GA vs AL bowl games that went into overtime we absolute show stoppers and provided chills, thrills, and old-school smash-mouth competion. Post-regulation over-time is great in sports, but, unfortunately, some people carryover the overtime mindset into their spiritual lives. Some people actithonk they can intentionally delay accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in the waning moments of life. Some refer to this as death-bed conversion. Know anyone like this? As disclaimer, I am NOT judging anyone’s path to salvation: this is between them and God. What I am cautioning against is the arrogance associated with people who believe they control their life to point where they believe they are going to have one of those made-for-TV situations where they will have a few moments before departing this life to meet with a preacher or devout Christian to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to gain entry in God’s kingdom in paradise. This makes for great TV entertainment but a very poor expression of faith. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, “2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord [a]will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; ...” Now, does this truth appear to you like a sound way to determine your eternal destiny? God's Word is clearly warning us that placing your hope in a death-bed conversion strategy is foolish. Yes, at Calvary where Jesus Christ was human, unjustly, on a cross between two criminals, our Lord and Savior did indeed promise to the criminal who professed His faith in Jesus, that He would BE with Him (Jesus Christ) in Paradise. Amen. But this is not a rule. It is true that God desires that none should perish in their sins and be separated from God eternally: We are told in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Conversely, God is not in the habit of playing games with us either. He gave His only begotten Son for us! If you are sincerely interested in being a Christian or exploring the Christian faith, the time to do it is NOW while you are alive, fully aware, and reasonably healthy; not some last-minute purchase your life assurance policy-type protect. God sees our motives and will judge us accordingly. Again, Matthew 24:36 informs us, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Amen!

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