Wins and Loses

Wins and Losses

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more…

As a former football coach I love this time of year. This is the season in which championships are won and lost. Football wins and loses are measured based on points scored, but how does scripture measure wins and loses?

In 1 Corinthians 9:19—22 Paul uses the word “win” five times. He says he wants to win both Jews and Gentiles, those with and without the law. Paul concludes this short passage on winning by saying, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” In other words Paul saw winning as leading people to salvation. Scriptures sees losing in the opposite light. Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”(Mark 8:36) Jesus measured losing by the number of lost souls. So scripture measures wins and losses based on the number of souls saved. Those who come to saving faith in Jesus are winners and those who don’t are losers; they are lost.

In football there’s nothing more exciting than a great comeback victory. I love to watch a team come from behind to win. And that’s one of the great things about Jesus. Jesus says, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” (Matthew 18:11) Jesus came into the world to change losers into winners. But like Paul, we have to do our part. We need to be willing to do whatever it takes that some might be saved. So in the coming season, let’s set out to win.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie