Monday, June 20, 2022

June 20, 2022 - With the next pick in the draft...

I was just reading an article on the upcoming NBA draft on Thursday night… it is dealing with the Orlando Magic’s decision that is looming for what to do with their #1 pick… They also have some other picks in the draft, plus a lot of former young, high picks to work with… 

“Dialogue is always ongoing.” Weltman (president of the Magic) said. “But most importantly, we get to do what we want. That’s the real benefit of having the No. 1 pick.” He also talked of the very talented players that are available in the draft and determining who is a fit for their growth as a team… and each of the top players long to hear their name following the phrase, “with the fist pick in the NBA draft, the Orlando Magic choose…”

So, the Magic, and all of the other teams, are evaluating talent, and, based upon a player’s performance, determining who to choose…

For most of my decades of ministry I have emphasized that religions are like the draft I am talking about… a belief in a god or gods that is “evaluating talent” to see who measures up; adversely I have often emphasized that what sets the Gospel apart from the 4000+ known religions is that it is not performance based…

This is partially true… let me explain… when it comes to our responsibility to get on God’s team… it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…” (Titus 3:5)… BUT GOD did require a performance: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

So, you see even Christianity requires performance… and God looked down at mankind and saw no one worthy of a draft pick… so He sent in the Substitute to give a perfect performance on our behalf…

Therefore, God decided to “choose” with His draft picks, not the best players, but those that would trust in Christ’s substitutionary performance in their place… with each pick God chooses believers!

Let’s celebrate the wonderful gift of salvation!

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