I'm the Best in the World

Romans 10:5-17

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2010%3A5-17&version=NIV;TLB

(This is the first of two postings on this passage. I hope you enjoy them.)

 

 

There was a tremendous amount of fanfare when it was announced that LeBron James would be returning to his home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Fans immediately anticipated that an NBA championship would soon follow. King James would inevitably lead the Cavs, and the city of Cleveland, back to the Promised Land.

 

Following game 5 of the NBA Finals, LeBron was asked if he was feeling freer to shoot than normal since the Cavs were so undermanned. His response is a classic: "Nah, I feel confident because I'm the best player in the world. It's simple."

 

In other words, he believed that even though the Cavs were down 3 games to 2 and two Cav starters were out due to injury; that they still were in it because of him. This confirmed that he was Cleveland’s savior.

 

Our passage today is a contrast in how salvation is attained. The Jews believed salvation was possible by obeying the Law. Paul wrote in response to this belief:

 

"For they don’t understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God’s favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God’s way of salvation.”

 

 

“For salvation that comes from trusting Christ—which is what we preach—is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

 

You and I may not try to find salvation through laws and customs, but we may try through our spouse, our children or our job. There are many imposters that can lead us down the wrong path; that can lead us away from the Savior and salvation.

 

In LeBron’s interview he talked about how hard he had worked for this. Unfortunately, it didn’t matter how hard Lebron worked or how much confidence he had or even if he is the best player in the world – the Cavs lost.

 

Fortunately for us, God’s word is not just true but He is faithful. He is the Living God who created us and continues to work in and through us. We don’t need the confidence of being the best in the world. We just need the God who is trustworthy.