"But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." -Titus 3:4-5 NLT
During the 2016 NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, after the Warriors were up 3-1, the Cavaliers bounced back and tied the series, 3-3 behind back-to-back 41-point performances in games 5 and 6 respectively. Game 7 was a classic defensive game like one of those rugged, low scoring games that a person would see in the early 2000’s between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. With 1:56 left in the fourth quarter and the game tied 89-89, Andre Iguodala was dribbling the basketball up the court on a fast break. J.R. Smith hustled back to slow him down in time for LeBron James to block Iguodala’s shot. Ultimately, Kyrie Irving had the ball in his hands on the right wing and hit a clutch 3-point shot over Steph Curry contest. The Cleveland Cavaliers went on to win the game and the NBA Finals, 93-89. Phenomenal clutch play in the closing minutes of the game by LeBron James hustling back on defense to do his famous “chasedown” to block Andre Iguodala’s shot. He could have easily given up on the play because of fatigue but he willing to do whatever it took to lead his team to victory. In my opinion, one of most clutch shots in NBA Finals’ history was Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer that put the Cavs up by 3 points in the closing seconds of the game. He could have easily folded under pressure, but he had the confidence to take and make the big shot when it mattered most. Like the quote says, “Big time players make big time plays in big time games.” After this win, the Cavaliers made history becoming the first sports team in Cleveland to win a championship (the Cavaliers’ first) in 52 years. Also, they were the first team in NBA history to comeback after being down 3-1 to win the NBA Finals.
Has there ever been a time where you have felt lost without joy, peace, or hope looking for love but finding it in the wrong places? Maybe you have a family member who passed away, or you were fired from a job, or you were experiencing depression and possibly desiring to commit suicide. Jesus is the answer to all things. He is the cure to all things. He will give you His joy and “a peace that others will not be able to understand” (Philippians 4:7). Have you noticed how there are so many individuals who have all the pleasures of this life like fancy cars, large homes, fame, fortune, investments, sex, etc. but something or someone is missing from their lives? They are lacking happiness, peace, and fulfillment. Jesus can fill the void in our hearts and lives that no one or nothing else can fill.
God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, into this world “not to judge the world but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17 NLT). Jesus came into this world to save souls. He also died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to die because of our sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (NLT). Because Jesus Christ died for our sins, we are made right with God; and we are saved by grace.
Two amazing things that stand out about God and the sacrifice that He made were that “God knew us before we came out of our mother’s womb” (Jeremiah 1:5) and “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God knew us before we knew us ourselves. He knows what we need before we need it. God hates sin. It was introduced into the world after Adam and Eve disobeyed God when they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis chapters 2 and 3). God wants to save us from our sins. For us to be saved, we must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ. If we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ, we will receive eternal life. Jesus Christ is the only way to God, believe in Him today so that you live for eternity in Heaven.
God knows what we need before we do.
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9
John 3:16-17
Titus 3:4-5
Jonah 2:9
Acts 4:12
John 14:6