Just over 2 weeks
ago, I had cause to write a piece titled “THE ETERNAL CHAMPIONS when my beloved
Chelsea emerged the newly crowned kings of English football, unarguably the
toughest competition to win in the world. By contrast I have greater and more IMPORTANT reasons to
write this piece though they equally lost the opportunity of becoming
double winners over the weekend. I have itemized 5 lessons
of ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE, to be learnt from the defeat of the team I made
reference to as the ETERNAL CHAMPIONS (while also drawing out a VITAL and
IMPORTANT LESSON CRITICAL in the race to eternity – read it here (https://goo.gl/s2Bdpr) if you missed
it or read again to further edify yourself). Here come the 5
lessons.
1.
You must never get ‘carried away’ or
over-celebrate any victory. It was
obvious that Chelsea was many pundits’ favorites coming into that game but they
failed to ‘show up’ on match day, obviously because they were still in party
mood. One report said Arsenal “played the better football and wanted it more” while
Chelsea got ‘carried away’ by their recent EPL win. Perhaps they were still
celebrating. In a similar and more dangerous way, most believers sometimes over
celebrate some victories and we
sometimes lose focus and think that all is well, especially when we lay hold on
some so called ‘special testimonies’. Jesus Christ says in Luke 10:20 “…
In this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your
names are written in heaven.”
2.
You must never underestimate the old enemy
(Satan). Chelsea probably under
estimate their old rival and enemy (Arsenal). I Peter 5:8 says the devil is a like
a roaring lion seeking for whom to devour always. Yes, God is the ancient of days
and we are begotten of Him, but the devil is older than us! And he is full of
ancient tricks and all manner of strategies to get us down, which he
often accomplishes except we remain in
the Spirit at all times – and we refused to be ignorant of the devices of the
devil (Rom. 8:1-2,2 Cor.2:11)
3.
Satan is always determined to take a pound
of our flesh knowing he has no part in ETERNITY. Knowing they have missed out of the ultimate prize
(top 4 which would have qualified them for the prestigious champions league,
with huge financial implications), it was obvious Arsenal were looking for
companies in the boat they were already in and were simply out to spoil the ‘party’
for the Blues who were crowned champions few weeks ago. The same way satan, having missed
out COMPLETELY on eternity, is DANGEROUSLY always out seeking to increase its
activities to make sure people are in the same ‘boat’ with him, especially
knowing his time is short. Don’t give him an inch! I Peter 5:8 says “Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
4.
You win some, you lose some but your
identity remains the same – you are ETERNAL CHAMPION! Rom. 8:35 says “what shall separate us from the love
of Christ? We sometimes make mistakes which gives room for the enemy to defeat us
and yes, God sometimes permit the devil to win some battles not because he
cannot save or give us victory or for any other reason whatsoever but because
those defeats are necessary as part of the molding process we have to go
through to be ‘baked’ to be stronger. 1 Peter 5:10 says “But the God of
all grace, who hath called us unto His ETERNAL GLORY by Christ Jesus, after
that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle
you.” This is particularly instructive for as many believers whose DAILY desire
is not only to see His ACTS but to know His WAYS. (Ps. 103:7). And Jesus put the nail on the coffin in John 16:33
saying, in this world, you will have tribulations (failures, defeats,
disappointments, etc.) but CHEER up because I (Jesus) have overcome the world.
Have you recently lost a battle to the enemy? Cheer up! You have only lost the
battle; you will never lose the war!
5.
The FINAL chance to taunt and make jest of
the devil is NOT now! Yes, Satan is
under our feet and we will keep overcoming our arch enemy but it is not yet
uhuru and can never be until we get to eternity. IT IS WHEN WE WILL FINALLY GET TO ETERNITY that we will be
completely free of satan's attacks, evil devices and machinations and have the
FINAL chance to say ‘hooobby’ to satan! Rev.21:4 says “And God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying…”. This is one of the scriptures that give me STRONG
motivation and empowerment in this race to eternity and I recommend it highly
to everyone.
Do you agree with my
submissions above? And which other lessons do you think believers can learn
from the football scenarios described above? I will be glad to hear from you.
Shalom!
Oloyede Ayodele
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