In, Rather Than Out

LISTEN TO AUDIO

In soccer, the goalie is trying to keep the ball out of the goal but the forward is trying to get the ball in.
In football, the place-kicker is trying to get the ball in between the posts while the defensive lineman is trying to keep the ball out.
Question: In the game of life, what position does God play? Is He trying to get the “ball” in or keep the “ball” out?

Here is the Apostle Paul, giving us some insight from 2 Tim 2:4. Speaking of God Paul said “Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

God plays the position of forward and not goalie. God is more like a quarter back more than a defensive lineman. God so loved the world that He sent His Son for the purpose of getting people into the kingdom and not keeping people out. Because, by our sin, we kicked ourselves long before Jesus arrived.

Why do I share this? Because I think, too often, God is portrayed as some cosmic government bureaucrat who sits at his desk just looking for a reason to deny someone’s paperwork, “Sorry you filled in the wrong bubble on line 12a. Rejected! Your theology is not exactly, precisely perfect.”

Let’s do our best not present the Father in that light.

True, Jesus said that the road to destruction is wide and that many more will walk that path than those who choose the way of life. It’s true, not everyone will be saved. But God would like for them to be. And this reveals much about His heart and demeanor.

Our God is not a grumpy old man yelling at people to stay off His lawn. Our God is more like the kindly neighbor who hung a tire in his tree for kids to play on.

Our King is not the bank guard who makes sure that everything is locked down tight. Our Lord is more like is the friendly manager who welcomes people to the lobby.

God is a firefighter and not an arsonist.

Yes, I know, not all will be saved. But let’s never forget to convey this wonderful truth: God really wants them to be!!