God's Coaching #76

God's Coaching #76

It seemed like a good idea at the time. In 2001, World Wrestling Federation chairman Vince McMahon teamed up with television network NBC to create the XFL, a professional football league that promoted itself as a mixture of football and pro wrestling. Its goal was to rival the ultrapopular NFL. The XFL consisted of eight teams and ran from February to April, including play-offs and a championship called the “Million Dollar Game.”

While much of the action on the field looked familiar, the XFL did include some quirky rules to speed up play and promote exciting—and sometimes painful—physical play. Initial interest in the league was strong, but it quickly faded. Less than three weeks after the first Million Dollar Game, the XFL folded. The XFL wasn’t the first pro football league that failed to match the NFL’s success. In 1985, the United States Football League folded after three seasons. It seems like nothing can compete with the real NFL.

What’s the Score?

Like professional sports, there are plenty of knockoff religions, too. For thousands of years, there have been countless counterfeits to Christianity—belief systems that seem so close, yet are very far from the truth of the gospel. Many different groups talk about Jesus Christ, but they preach a false salvation of works or add to God’s Word. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus described these as “false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”

Then there are religions that are blatantly false. Some say inner peace is the chief goal in life. Some teach that Jesus is only one of many roads to heaven or that he was nothing more than a good teacher. Some say the keys to heaven are within you. Still others teach reincarnation and all sorts of nonbiblical myths. As the apostle Paul instructed in 1 Timothy 4:16, we must watch our doctrine closely. We must be on guard against false religions and misguided beliefs. We must cling to the true gospel of Jesus Christ—that salvation comes only by faith in him. To know the difference between truth and error, we must faithfully read God’s Word. When it comes to Christianity, our motto should be “No knockoffs allowed!”

On the Ball

With a parent, read about several false religions online. Know what members of these false religions believe, so you can watch out for it, and be confident in your faith in Christ.

Coach’s Comment

Watch your life and doctrine closely. 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)