Game Of Inches
- Kingdom Kulture
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
Growing up playing American Football, as young as I can remember I have heard that the sport was a game of inches. However, I never truly realized the importance of this statement until I got to high school and college.
Oftentimes, great coaches can be viewed as tyrants because of their high standards and little tolerance for error. However, the simple reason for their behavior is that they see the end result and how slight deviations may put that end result at risk. A matter of only a few inches can be the difference between tears of joy at the end of the game or tears of regret.
As we look at Christ and His message of the Gospel, we see a very high standard being taught.
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26-33 KJV
Oftentimes when it comes to Jesus and His message of complete surrender, we tend to deviate from this level of devotion and look for easier paths that require less commitment and focus. However, since Jesus actually came from Heaven and is set to reign at the right hand of God for eternity, He is the most reliable source for getting us all to our target destination.
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:7-9 KJV
Jesus is known as the Author and Finisher of our faith. Much similar to a coach with much experience, Jesus has already experienced Heaven and He knows the path that leads to victory. Not only does He know the way that leads to Heaven, He also says that He Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no man will come to Father but through Him -- not only Himself but also the standard He expressed.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 KJV
This message of complete and total surrender is spoken out of love because He knows how quickly the things of this world can cause us to stray. Being tempted in similar ways as us, He knows the path of full surrender that actually leads to true freedom.
15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. 16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:15-16 AMPC
We as humans have a tendency to deviate from the way of Jesus and create our own ways to serve Him. We must understand that Jesus said that in the last days many will come to Him and say that they were faithful in serving Him, but He will respond, "Depart from Me." If we are attempting to serve Jesus in a way that requires less commitment, less sacrifice, and less "extreme" devotion, we must realize we are only fooling ourselves. In the eyes of Jesus, this "service" is insufficient.
To serve God means to dedicate ourselves to His will over our own. This is how we become partners in the suffering of Christ, by choosing the path that edifies the spirit while simultaneously destroying the flesh. Some christians have endured physical destruction of the flesh similar to Christ Himself by choosing to stand with the convictions of the Holy Spirit but we will all experience the spiritual decomposition of the flesh when we choose to follow the Holy Spirit.
Question of the Day: Are you committed to serving Jesus in a way that you can avoid His suffering?
(17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.) Romans 8:17-18 KJV
