Three out of four isn’t bad, right? Of course, it’s not! Most professional athletes strive towards this form of accomplishment! An NFL quarterback’s passer rating would be considered prolific! Pro hockey players scoring three out of four shots on goal have assured themselves of being a part of the Hall of Fame. All NBA players “sinking” 75% of their jump shots will not have to worry about their endorsements. No, not a single athlete. These numbers place a person in a “historic” conversation. In a good way. But did you know we have a nemesis who holds more significant “numbers” than athletes or human beings have ever held on to the face of the earth? He is called Satan, and he is our adversary…a complete challenge to our souls. And he doesn’t play by the numbers!
The Bible states, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (NKJV, 1 Peter 5:8). He is a murderer and liar (John 8:44). He desires for our eternal souls to be spent outside of Heaven (Matthew 25:41). He is “perfect” in his sinning and desires nothing more than to drag you and me into his disobedience of God (1 John 3:8-10). How is it possible that Satan can put up “career” numbers like this? The Bible tells us in Matthew 13:1-23 that three out of four soils (people) will not fully hear and become obedient to His will. The world believes it doesn’t matter to God what or how we feel; just think you are truly sincere as you believe it. According to Scripture, most people who hear the Word will be lost. Satan has never cared for the truth, but we should. Many of us now seem to think that there is no higher authority in religion than that which is right in our own eyes. Christ is our King and has been given authority (Matthew 28:18-20). If we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23; I John 5:1-3).
Our only hope is to be transformed into the very image of Christ (Romans 12:12). We CAN receive the “gold jacket” of salvation, but it comes at a cost. Most of those we see in the individual halls of fame did not incur these esteemed places due to talent alone. They all speak of sacrifice, time, temperance, and trust in a system that most did not create. They endeared themselves as “good soldiers” as we should do to complete the task and often the wiles of our greatest enemy! I pray we all desire to “put up good numbers” (Luke 8:8). More significantly, I pray we all want to be in that number (Revelation 20:12). Think on these things.
God Bless,
Archie R. Green
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