The Value of Faith and Wisdom

James 1:2-9


Preachers should preach the main event, in season and out of season, praying to win souls. Within the salvation story is a "blessed assurance", a foretaste of divine glory. With a deposit of faith, men and women of God proclaim that believers have the victory. Now, this is it - faith in the acts of Jesus the Christ gives us more than a symbolic cross of death, it grants us the symbol of the Christian faith. Wearing the cross is an inspirational sign of victory. "Spiritual Champions" are soul winners, and the cross is as meaningful as a champion ring on the finger of the World Series Champions in baseball. People aspire for the ring in baseball and the cross in the adventure of faith.

Baseball has been called: "The American Pastime!" Children play at it. Some men are blessed playing the game in Major League Baseball. There is thrill in the game for the winners, and a hope to win on another day for the losers. There is no doubt, when you play the game, you play to win. "Some body has to win, some body has to lose." The ultimate value in the game is to come out on top as a proven winner - a champion. The integrity of baseball rest in the heart of those with the wisdom to give their all, even when their all seems to be short of the championship ring. Millions will watch day after day during the season of baseball with hopes of their team winning.


Every season carries reasons to watch, pray, and cheer for "victory in Jesus." It is no game, yet its a life for champions. It is a life of soul winning, which is the goal of spiritual champions. Winning souls has to do with applying the essence of love. Equipped with loving God with our hearts, souls, strength, and minds, we win souls as we love our neighbors. Who are the neighbors of spiritual champions? Our neighbors are the people we dare to ask: "If I do not have you, who will? Who will help you through the injustice, the hurt, the rape, the incest, the robbery, the disease, etc? Who, if not I who love you." When I come to the end of the journey, I will not seek the ring of a champion, because I it is my desire to have given it to the true victors - those responsible for the winning of my soul. Do you have love for me, Spiritual Champions? Will you love and forgive me, when I have failed in the love of you? Pray for me, Neighbor of faith. The first base of faith is not enough. The second base of hope is not enough. The third base of friendship love is not enough. It is the last inning, full count with two outs and I have struck out three times. The pitch has been released, and I am swinging ...

Agape!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner, and save my soul that I may be safe at home. Amen.