Winning Strategy (KJV)

In racquetball there are a number of strategies one may use to defeat the opponent. The choice of strategy to use against each opponent depends on both the player himself and the opponent. The winning strategy for each particular match will most likely boil down to using wise defense to off-set the opponent’s strengths and finding the most effective offensive shots to win the rallies. Usually the most necessary defensive strategy is to get the opponent out of the middle of the front court, keeping him from just standing and shooting. Offensively, one should then use the best high-percentage shot he can make to win the rally or score the point. Using good strategy, a player who is lacking a good consistent kill-shot, or lacks speed, or fitness, a great power game, or a precise “touch” game, can possibly defeat a player possessing those and other effective skills. Strategy also comes into play when one is considering how to get into right standing with the God we must all answer to one day. The Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Since our eternal destiny and well-being are determined in that judgment, a “winning strategy” had better be found and used. Some believe in the defensive strategy such as: “I’m a pretty good person, I’ll make it,” or “I’m as good as the next guy,” or even “God is a good God and wouldn’t send anybody to Hell.” Others take a more offensive strategy like … “I’ve belonged to a church for years,” “I was baptized when I was young,” or “I keep the commandments,” or “I’m a good neighbor”, etc. The truth is that none of those strategies will get anybody to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Titus 3:5-7 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” God’s Word clearly teaches the only “winning strategy” is trusting Jesus Christ as personal Savior. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5,6). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:9,10). “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30,31). “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). These are just a few of the verses in the Bible that show that Jesus Christ is the only way, the only “winning strategy” for reaching Heaven one day. Have you ever put your faith in Christ for salvation? Simply acknowledge your sin and sinfulness to God and ask Him to save you on the basis that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and resurrected the third day that we might be saved. God will hear that prayer from a sincere heart. And, by the way, I hope you can work out a “winning strategy” in racquetball as well.