My sister-in-law coached several volleyball teams to state championships in Michigan, and several teams that came close.  I once asked her what the difference was between the champions and the almost champions.  Her reply had a gospel ring to it.  She said the champions were better at focusing on the next play after making an error.  Everyone makes mistakes in sports – a flubbed set, a bad spike, a serve too long or short in volleyball; a missed layup or errant pass in basketball; a dropped pass or missed field goal in football.  A champion has a short memory for mistakes and is able to focus on the next play in the game.

The refocusing is good, as is striving to do better on the next play, but there is nothing any player can do to eliminate the statistics on missed serves, shots or field goals. Similarly, we all make mistakes in life: we are mean to others; we don’t keep our word; we lie, cheat and steal; our minds are filled with hatred and lustful thoughts; we take great pride in our own achievements and fail to honor the creator of the whole universe who gave us the tools to do those good things.  We can refocus after making mistakes and strive to do better next time, but there is nothing we can do to eliminate the stain caused by our sinful actions.  In the eyes of a holy and just God, the guilt of our sins must be paid for.  The good news of Jesus Christ is that his death on the cross brings a substitution and redemption.  Christ pays the penalty for our sins and washes us whiter than snow when we believe in Him (John 3.16). Champions in eternal life are those who acknowledge their sin by repenting and accept the gift of salvation by believing.