God's Coaching #81

God's Coaching #81

Carlos Peña’s career appeared to be finished in 2006. Carlos, a major-league first baseman, had suffered his worst season since having become a full-time starter in 2002. After clobbering 27 home runs and driving in 82 runs for Detroit in 2004, he was released by the Tigers during the 2006 spring training and then let go by the New York Yankees’ Triple-A team that August. He signed with Boston shortly afterward but struggled in 18 games to end the year.

In 2007, Carlos was invited to spring training by the Tampa Bay Rays, but he didn’t survive the final cut. However, when Greg Norton, Tampa Bay’s first baseman, got injured, Carlos was placed on the Rays’ roster right before opening day. Then the improbable happened. Carlos exploded with 46 home runs, 121 RBIs, and 103 walks—all club records. He won the 2007 American League Comeback Player of the Year Award. Over the next three seasons, he averaged 33 home runs and 95 RBIs to become one of baseball’s premier sluggers.

What’s the Score?

Ironically, Carlos’s remarkable career turnaround was nothing that he initially earned himself. His big opportunity with Tampa Bay came only when someone else got injured. Similarly, our greatest spiritual opportunity (the forgiveness of our sins) came only by someone else’s suffering—that of Jesus Christ. We can’t earn God’s favor, either before or after we become Christians. God isn’t impressed with the good works we do after we’re saved. As Galatians 2:16 says, “No one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”

This is important, because a Christian’s obedience to God should never be to “earn brownie points” or to get on God’s good side. God doesn’t work like that. His love for us doesn’t fluctuate, and he is not some sort of divine teacher who nitpicks and grades everything we do. Rather, he is a loving heavenly Father who wants his children to serve him out of grateful hearts of worship. As Christians, our standing before God is not based on what we’ve earned. It’s based on what Christ has earned for us. Praise God for that!

On the Ball

Read a book or biographical article on Martin Luther, the great preacher from a few hundred years ago who passionately preached verses like Galatians 2:16 and taught people that salvation is by faith, not by works.

Coach’s Comment

No one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law. Galatians 2:16