Choose to Let Good Win
Since the Garden of Eden, humanity has faced the choice between good and evil—a struggle that began with Adam and Eve and continues to this day.
This battle can play itself out in many different ways. A child begins to test the limits of obedience at an early age. At school, students face the temptation to take short cuts or cheat on assignments. At work, the employee wrestles with how much effort they must put into their job. For the athlete, the desire to win and defeat your opponent can bring out a competitive evil side.
Today, two American football teams meet in the biggest game of the year. This annual event is one of the most viewed sporting events in the world. Each team strives to overcome the other. They push through challenges and setbacks to achieve their goal.
This struggle mirrors a deeper, spiritual battle we all face in life—the fight between good and evil. Each day brings choices for which side will prevail in our hearts and actions.
Romans 12:21 is a powerful dual statement about this struggle. The first statement is a reminder of that evil should not be in control. In the original language, the word "overcome" conveys the idea of triumphing over something. Athletes compete with the mindset to not let the opponent be the victor. For the believer, sin and evil must not win.
The second part of this powerful verse explains how we overcome evil: by triumphing over it with good.
Our natural inclination is to seek revenge, rejoice in someone's downfall, or boast in your own strength. But believers live out the transformative power of Christ by responding to evil with love, kindness, and forgiveness. These are the true tools for victory.
In sports, teams often reflect the values of their coach and leaders. As believers, we must reflect the values of our leader, Jesus. Christlikeness is not a title—it’s an active way of life that enables us to overcome evil with good. A response of love, kindness, and forgiveness, show the transformative power of Christ. You can do this by forgiving a coworker who wronged you or choosing not to respond in a harsh way to criticism.
Today, choose to let good win—not only on the field, but in the battles you face each day.
Faith Begins By Hearing
Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” (NLT)
Everyone who follows Jesus first heard the Good News somewhere. At some point, in some way, the message of Jesus reached them.
The apostle Paul wrote these words in a letter to believers in Rome as he explained how people come to faith. Faith begins when the Good News about Jesus is heard. God uses the message of Christ to open the hearts of people everywhere with His beautiful invitation to new life.
But what makes this news so good?
Sometimes people hesitate to talk about faith because they have not fully discovered how good God truly is. Some imagine God as distant or angry, ready to judge. But that is not the God revealed through Jesus.
Jesus is compassionate. He knows every person, including you. He sees every story, including yours. He understands your fears, struggles, and burdens.
Jesus did not come to condemn the broken. He came to carry judgment on Himself, to ...