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The ABCs of Christian Survival and Growth 4C The One Who Loses Wins

The ABCs of Christian Survival and Growth
4C The One Who Loses Wins

The One Who Loses Wins ... a statement that doesn't seem to agree with itself. It defies logic and and our intellect. It's not what we likely learned as children playing games or what we learned playing sports. Life is filled with potential competitions and opportunities to be the first, the fastest, the strongest, the smartest, etc .... and the trophy goes to the one who wins. So how can the one who loses be the winner?

Again, I come back to perspective - our God's. If I run a footrace, what is my motivation for running it? If it's not to glorify God in some way, then it's pointless and likely not worthy to be counted for eternity. We weren't given life so that we could glorify ourselves, but God who gave us any ability that we might lay claim to. Is my motivation to run something that is bound to be successful in fulfilling the purpose for my creation? Or is it to satisfy my need to be elevated in the eyes of men or even in my own eyes? What is the motivation for the things that I do?

If I win the footrace, what have I won in the eyes of the only One who judges the greater race we run in this life? Likely nothing. He gave me the ability to do it, so why would He be impressed? But let's say that I'm winning the footrace, and I look back to see someone struggling in the rear. If I drop back out of loving compassion to run with this person to minimize their disgrace, to help them and encourage them to reach the finish line ... I will lose the footrace, but I will have won something that counts. I will have exhibited what's in God's heart for each of us - love, compassion and a desire to save us from disgrace. Until I drop back, the race is meaningless, but the moment I choose to deny my own self glory to save another from disgrace, I'm exhibiting Christ to them, because that's exactly what Christ has done for us. He set aside His great and righteous glory to come to us who wouldn't make it to the finish line on our own and in astounding humility sacrificed Himself for our benefit.

The world would likely call me a loser because I finished with the last. It's definition of winner is one bound in self glory and honor. But the moment I choose to exercise selfless, loving humility on behalf of another, my Lord calls me His champion. Do I choose satisfy the need to serve the world in giving it another champion? Or is my deepest desire, my motivation, to be the champion of my God. Which one has any real value? What is my motivation for the things that I do?

Consider Christ's words in the following scriptures;

Matthew 19:30 (NLT) "But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then."

Matthew 20:16 (NLT) "And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then."

Mark 9:35 (NLT) He sat down and called the twelve disciples over to him. Then he said, "Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else."

Luke 9:48 (NLT) Then he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."

John 15:16 (NLT) "You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name."

So again I say "the one who loses wins". It's a matter of perspective. Some of the world's greatest winners have lost the only race that counted ... because of perspective. The values, attitudes and definitions of this world exist for a reason - to distract us and provide an opportunity for us to lose the real race. As Christians we know that we live for a purpose defined by the God who created us and no other. We will either win or lose by choosing to adopt His perspective as our own, or by living according to the values of the world. But my friends, in the end, when it will really count, our performance will only be judged from His perspective alone. Nothing anyone else said or thought about us will matter. Have the humility ... to win!

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