SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1319

“Participation Trophy”

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. – 1 Corinthians 9:24

The ‘wisdom’ of the world has worked to reduce people’s character to that of the ‘lowest common denominator’ by rewarding mediocre participation and effort.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, – Colossians 3:23

In education, grade inflation is used to make people feel better whether they performed at that level or not. We are promoting ill-equipped, uneducated people. The lesson that they do learn well is that they are entitled to a reward regardless of their effort.

In sports, the advent of participation trophies rewards those unwilling to put forth the effort to succeed while simultaneously eroding the value of success for those who do.

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules; Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. – 2 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 9:25

We are now seeing these dangerous all-inclusive, non-offensive policies emerging in the church. A recent statement made by the Pope demonstrates this ‘feel-good’ theology that has made inroads into the church. He said: “All religions are paths to God. I will use an analogy, they are like different languages that express the divine.”

The Truth of the Word of God says differently: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing… – 1 Timothy 6:3-4

When I heard this ‘feel-good’ theology statement I was reminded of how Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden. Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said…, “Did God actually say…” – Genesis 3:1

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus – 1 Timothy 2:5

The Truth is that there are no ‘participation trophies’ in the Kingdom of God. All religions are not paths to God. Jesus is the way…the only way.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. – Matthew 7:13-14

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

We are not entitled to a crown of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ. What we do deserve is eternal damnation and that gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction.

As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.

– Romans 3:10; Isaiah 64:6

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. – John 3:17-18

It is by the grace of God that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserved and through faith in His death and resurrection, we can have eternal life.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23

Jesus is indeed the narrow gate that leads to life and He does not sugar coat it – the way is hard. Our flesh wants what it wants and it does not want to be disciplined and obedient to God’s Word. Our flesh wants salvation, but on our terms. We want one foot in the world, steeped in sin, and still receive salvation. We want the wide path to lead to God apart from Jesus and the worldly church is more than happy to deceive echoing Satan: “Did God actually say…”

May the Holy Spirit give you discernment to see the lie of false doctrines. May He clarify the Truth of His Word and lead you to faith in Jesus as the way, the only way to eternal life.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8