The Big
Game
The great game of baseball is known and loved around the world. It is popular and easy to play because there are only a few simple rules. The pitcher surveys the playing field from the mound. The batter steps up to the plate. Suddenly, the ball is thrown followed by a swing of the bat. The player has three strikes at the ball until declared out. Or, if the player does hit the ball, that's all well and good. Should the ball go foul, the batter gets another chance. Yet, if an opposing player catches the ball, the batter is immediately out. The best way to play the game is to hit a home run. The next best is to hit a fly ball, or lastly, a low grounder, both of these hits should be placed between the opposing players. What's most important is to hit the ball. The result can be fun, and at the same time not really serious. It is a fact that not everyone plays or even wants to play baseball. Yet, to not play is to forfeit the game altogether.
There is however, another “game” that everyone must play. That very important game is about eternity—where will we spend it. There are ancient claims we can affirm or deny, and so, know our destination; it's like taking a strike at the ball. Here too, there are three strikes before being declarer out--consider now the three statements for eternity!
1) The Bible is the infallible, written Word of God. This supported by many thousands of carefully hand-copied manuscripts of the Bible. The Old Testament has the Dead Sea scroll Hebrew manuscripts are dated at 125 BC and copies of the Greek Septuagint are known to have been translated in 250 BC. There is no significant difference between these manuscripts and the Bible in use today.
The Bible is in agreement with current archeology and history. In addition, the Old Testament contains the logical, orderly prehistory of God's dealings with mankind. Genesis records God's original creation, Adam and his wife's original sin against God, a worldwide flood judgment on the rebellious generation of Noah time (seen in the uniform water laid strata around the earth), the eventual calling of Abraham out of the pagan east, then the testing of Abraham and his son Isaac's faith with sacrifice, and the enslavement of God's chosen people in Egypt, In the book of Exodus and beyond, God gave Moses miraculous power to save Israel from that slavery; God also spoke through Moses and many other prophets and kings saying that a great person would come to save the peoples of the world from the humanity's universal slavery to sin.
The New Testament is the best-attested ancient document with thousands of virtually identical manuscript copies. There are a number of these manuscripts that actually date to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD—far more than any other ancient document. The New Testament is the true history of the final arrival of God's long awaited Old Testament promise of the Messiah. Do you affirm that the Bible is the only reliable revelation from God about His actions and purpose--if not, that's strike one!
2) Jesus Christ became the living Word of God according to the New Testament Bible. Jesus Christ means "Jesus the Messiah"; Christ or Messiah means "One chosen and empowered by God."
This same Jesus lived a perfect life so that He, of all men, did not deserve to die. Yet, He actually died on a Roman cross about 2000 years ago according to God's plan and permission. His life was given as a sacrificial substitute for the world’s sins against God's commandments against evil works and intentions. The “Good News” of the Gospel is that Jesus' sacrifice was accepted. This was proved when Jesus rose physically from the dead.
This is a fact of the Bible, both in the many prediction of the Old Testament and the details of the New Testament. It is also supported by the many millions of people worldwide that have had a personal encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This is called being “born again” or “born of the Spirit of God.” Have you been born again? Do you know the deep love of God that gave the ultimate sign by dying in our (your) place? Do you affirm that Jesus humbly came and died for human sin on a wooden cross? If not, that’s strike two!
3) Jesus Christ (“The Messiah”) is declared to be the Son of God. Not by human sex but by the supernatural power of the Father God's Holy Spirit. These three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, love and work in the perfect unity as the one true, and yet, Trinity God.
The uniformity of three in one is displayed throughout the Universe. For example: white light formed from red, blue, and green light; water having the forms of solid, liquid, and gas; or all of existence being dependent on space, matter, and time.
The God of the Bible is a personal God, desiring relationship with His human creation. God had made man in His image, therefore the nature of man as body, though, and feeling can help in understanding the Creator. And the three distinct relationships of a single man as father, son, and husband reveal God's threefold relationship with His human children.
The infinite God has chosen to meet our needs because He's a loving Father; through Jesus, the Living Word of the Father sent to be our King, Savior, Brother, and Friend; and by an intimate relationship through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
This is the true God of justice and grace. Do you want to know God as Father, Friend, and Spiritual Helper; the Triune God of the Bible. If not, that's strike three - are you out? Of the kingdom of God, that is?
In the game of baseball, the pitcher may throw some bad balls. However, the heavenly “pitches” discussed above are straight and true. Thus, if you can agree with only part of these, then perhaps you have a hit—that is, there's still hope. At any rate, keep swinging, “play” is not over until the very last pitch! Yet, it's late, maybe even the bottom of the ninth, and with no possibility of a tie, don't take this “Big Game” for granted.
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