Above All Else

2 Timothy 2:8-19

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A8-19&version=NIV;PHILLIPS

 

 

During game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals, there was a play that resulted in a heated confrontation between David West, of the Golden State Warriors and Tristan Thompson, of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They got into a major argument with nose to nose shouting and pushing.

 

As a result, both received technical fouls, but nobody really won the argument. Often times, that’s how arguments end; there is no true winner, only losers.

 

In a heated argument, both people are highly invested in their own opinion. If they are

honest, neither is really interested in truly listening to the other person’s point of view. Mostly, they just want to win the argument. That’s not only the case with the above example; that’s human nature. But Paul wrote this to Timothy:

 

¹⁴ Remind your people of things like this, and tell them as before God not to fight

wordy battles, which help no one and may undermine the faith of some who hear them. ¹⁵ For yourself, concentrate on winning God’s approval, on being a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, and who knows how to use the word of truth to the best advantage.            Phillips NT

 

We live in a highly competitive world where winning can cause us to lose perspective; to lose sight of what is truly important. In fact, it’s been said, that winning is everything. But Paul is making the point that although God’s Truth is unchanging, winning God’s approval is, above all else, most important.

 

Before you leave for vacation, it always seems like you have twenty things to do and not enough time to do it. You have to focus and set priorities. You have to ask yourself, “What is most important”? So it was with Paul.

 

He knew it was close to the end of his life when he wrote his letter to Timothy. This helped him to focus on what was the most important thing. Don’t worry about winning every argument but, above all else, concentrate on winning God’s approval.

 

Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.    Proverbs 4:23           NIV

 

 

 

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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.