Who's On First?

 I think it is safe to say all of us have either attended, watched, or personally participated in some type of baseball competition in our lives. From our children in pee-wee leagues to major league baseball most of us are familiar with the basics of the game. Even if you are not familiar with some of the jargon like backdoor slider, cutter, in the hole, or meatball pitch, you know at the very least, whomever of the two opposing teams scores the most runs, wins the game! And this, in many cases, is enough knowledge to get you by. Choosing to follow the crowd like standing when others stand, cheering when others cheer, and screaming in unison at the umpire, are enough to give the impression you know the game quite well even if you don't. Keep this thought in mind as you advance through this blog. Now, let's look at a few basic facts about the game of baseball. 

 

There are two teams that take the field.

Each wants victory. 

Each uses power players.

Each wants to win the hearts of their fans. 

Now let's look at the fans. 

Every die-hard baseball fan is devoted. 

Each believes their team is best. 

Each is faithful to support their choice all season long. 

With these simple facts, we can metaphorically compare the game of baseball with two opposing "spiritual" teams: Team JESUS and team Satan. 

Each team has powerful players. Each team has fans. Each team operates on a field. In a metaphorical sense, the "field" is the world. So each team operates in the world. Even if you are not a baseball fan, you know during a game there are not three teams on the field playing, a dozen teams playing, or hundreds of teams playing. There are only two teams. Today, I'm pointing out there are only one of two teams in the spiritual league which you can support: 

1.Team Jesus hails from heaven.

2.Team Satan hails from Hades. 

These two opponents are not playing for runs or a pendant, they are playing for souls. In my analogy today, it is the bottom of the final ninth inning! Following the rules of their game, you must choose which side you will be on. You can only wear one jersey and remain faithful only to one of those teams.

Here are some strategies for these two "spiritual" teams. Remember now, I am speaking metaphorically. Team Satan utilizes pitchers who can change speeds. His team uses deceptive sliders making you look mighty foolish when taking the bait by swinging at empty air and coming up empty-handed. All his pitches are to fool you and trick you. Satan also throws many sneaky curves, twisting the Word of God ever so slightly which can mislead and confuse you so that you don't know what is coming at you or how to deal with it. Is it a true straight pitch or did he throw you a curve? His ultimate goal is to strike you out and make you ineffective! He wants you benched, helpless, out of the game; lost. What does Team Jesus have in His arsenal? Blood, sweat, and tears! Jesus loves His team so much He actually goes to bat for you so there will be no strikeouts! He utilizes His characteristics to bring you safely to home plate! 

Let's see how the game goes between Team Jesus and team Satan. 

 

Team Jesus is at-bat. The score is tied zero to zero in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. It's do- or- die and it's your turn to bat. However, Jesus waves to His batter named Love to step up and pinch-hit for you. Love swings at the first pitch and hits a single because Love never fails. The next batter Jesus calls up is named Faith who also hits a single because Faith works with Love. The next batter up is named Godly Wisdom. Satan winds up and throws the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looks it over and lets it pass because Godly Wisdom does not swing at the stuff Satan throws. Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom allows them to pass by and takes a walk to first base because Godly Wisdom can discern Satan's schemes.  Now the bases are loaded thanks to faith, love, and wisdom. Jesus is now going to use His star player. Up to the plate steps Grace! Satan's team takes one look at Grace and doesn't believe Grace looks like he holds much power so Team Satan relaxes when they see Grace approach the plate. Laughing in the face of Grace team Satan believes they will get the strike-out and have this game in the bag. 

Satan winds up and fires his first pitch. Another deceptive slider! To the shock of the crowd, Grace hits the ball harder than anyone has ever seen. Even so, Satan is not worried. His center fielder, the spirit of Fear, seldom lets few ever get by him. He goes up for the ball but it goes right through his glove like a flaming sword and hits him on the head sending him crashing to the ground! The ball then continues over the fence with ease for a home run!! The Lord's team has the victory!  Conclusion? Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could not win the game by themselves. Why?? Metaphorically speaking, if Love, Faith, and Wisdom alone could have won the game then we might think we could earn salvation all by ourselves! The truth is, Love, Faith, and Wisdom will get you on base but only God's Grace can get you home!  

 

One final thought. The goal of both Baseball and Christianity is to get home safely but you have to know and follow the rules of the game to know the way. You simply cannot go along with the crowd, listening to what someone else tells us about God, His Word, heaven, or the salvation message and expect to know God's rules of the game. We face a mighty opponent, one that will throw you curves leading to loss of meaning, mixed information, and misinterpretation of scripture!  If you want to get home safely, you have to let Jesus pinch hit for you. Only His Grace will lead you home. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-