Everybody wants to win at whatever they’re doing!
It
thrills you to cross the
finish line with no one ahead or beside you. The crowd roars as you
raise your hands in victory, and maybe carry the checkered flag for
your victory lap. Could it be that in only moments you’re
visualizing your name and record data printed in the Guinness Book of
Records? You’re the best. The spotlight is only on you. How sweet
it is…
The
awards in the Olympics
begin with the Bronze Medal. Next above that is the Silver Medal,
and the very top is the Gold Medal. You’re on the top step with
everyone looking up at you. Television cameras are blasting your
image across the globe. Whew!
But
did you know there’s a level of winning that’s even above the
gold?!
There
definitely is. It’s
described in only one place on the planet Earth; nowhere else except
in God’s Precious Word, the Bible. So we know it’s true; it’s
not a hoax. The amazing truth in Romans 8:37 says, “…MORE THAN
winning.” It says to be more than a conqueror; more than a winner;
more than a victor. It’s a rather odd concept to wrap your head
around. I ask myself, “How can I become ‘better than the best’?”
The
first step is to key in on the next phrase in the verse, ‘through
Him that Loved us.”
What
two important facts does the phrase tell us?
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
Answers:
(1) Our
‘more than conquerors’ status comes from someone (not an action)
outside ourselves.
(2) We see a special characteristic of that someone: He loves us.
(2) We see a special characteristic of that someone: He loves us.
Because
our victory – our more than victory is dependent on someone else,
we don’t have any reason to boast about ourselves. Boasting is
certainly a trait God has given to us, but He wants us to boast about
Him and His incredible love for us. This special love accepts and
protects us just as we are; with all our imperfections.
- We seek to build others up with our abilities and gratitude “to Him who loved us.”
- We win but don’t become egotistic braggers.
- We recognize that man’s victories are fleeting.
- We see first hand God’s strength made perfect in our weakness.
- Our reaching for the prize is not a ‘do or die’ or ‘stepping on others’ process.
And
even better, you don’t have to own a quad
runner, all the expensive clothing and tools, or risk breaking your
neck every day to qualify. Even quadriplegics (people using a mouth
stick or a head mouse to use their computer) can become MORE THAN A
WINNER. Isn’t that neat? We’re not blowing smoke here. One of the
famous ones is Joni Eareckson Tada that paints, composes, and many
other things. But what really makes her more than a winner is that
her goals and efforts are all focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:14-15 I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal
even this unto you.
The
Apostle Paul wrote that his prize; his goal was ‘the high calling
of God’. This prize is in the person of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
BUT A CAUTION is added, “[if] ye be otherwise minded, God shall
reveal even this unto you.” Now is that accountability or what?
Maybe
we can say the added prize is to be a RULER over many things. The
verse says: Matthew 25:21 His
lord said unto him, Well done, thou
good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of
thy lord.
