Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - How You Can Win and Still Lose - #8390

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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These days they call him the fastest man alive; Usain Bolt keeps shattering Olympic track and field records. And he's amazing to watch! Don't blink or you'll miss him. I heard one commentator say, "We just keep hoping that we won't find out some day that he was using anything illegal." So far, there is no evidence he has. But we've heard about too many athletes who have won their event, only to end up losing because...well, they didn't do it according to the rules.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and sadly, that's not just a story of some great athletes. It is the story of too many Christians who were running a great race spiritually; if only they had kept playing by God's rules. People, even Christian leaders, can carry a dark spiritual secret for years, increasingly convinced they were getting away with their secret sin. But Satan is just waiting to pull the chain and expose it all when it will do the most damage to that person, the people they love, and the reputation of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul warned the up-and-coming leader, Timothy, with this example, "If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Timothy 2:5 ). Paul said, "Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24 ). His fear, "That after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:27 ). Look, if there's something you're hiding, if you're cheating in any way, deal with it now. No matter how great your performance, it only counts if you play by the rules.

A lot of people are finding a lot of spiritual encouragement at our website these days. I hope you will. It's ALifeThatMatters.org.

This radio program references: 2 Timothy 2:5 ; 1 Corinthians 9:24 ; 1 Corinthians 9:27