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by Elmer Murdoch
HERE’S THE PITCH You are in the game of life. You are a nice guy or a bad guy, or something in between. You may be a “party animal” or a homebody. Or you like sports, family and apple pie. Perhaps you’re living on the edge of something dangerous, or even illegal. You’ve considered quitting but haven’t yet. You might be single and happy, or enjoying a good marriage, good health and be debt free. Yet there is still an empty spot in your life. In your quieter moments, you wonder what it is. Could it be a void in the spiritual part of your life? Everyone is in this game. Check the bases to find out where you are.
All Scripture in this booklet is from the New International and the New American Standard versions.
© Copyright 2010
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1300 BA
UNCONCERNED I try to be decent, live a good life and let others live theirs. I go to church once in a while but don’t have any real interest in spiritual matters. I’ll call ‘em as I see ‘em.
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CONCERNED As a base runner, you don’t want to get picked off, so you keep your eye on the pitcher. He has your attention. In life, God is trying to get your attention as well. Your emptiness, job change, divorce, or fear of death could be one way He’s achieving this.
CONVICTED Baseball has rules and God has rules the Ten Commandments. When we lie, steal, cheat, are jealous, have sex outside of marriage or put other things before God, we break His Law. This is sin. That is why we need forgiveness from God. To be good enough to go to heaven, you have to be perfect. In other words, if you’re a hitter, you have to bat a thousand. If you’re a pitcher, you have to throw a perfect, no hit game every time. In James 2:10, James affirms this when he writes, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” So, if you batted .999 or allowed one walk, you’re not good enough. One sin and you are “caught stealing.” You’re out. What’s the call on you? Hopeless? Keep going toward third base. 5
MAKING THE TURN AT THIRD If a runner doesn’t make the turn at third, he will never reach home plate and spiritually neither will you. If you miss the bag at third (repentance), you will be out by appeal. That is why Jesus says, “Unless you repent, you also will all perish.” Luke 13:3
Repentance…is turning from running your own life. You choose to put off selfish, me first choices and sincerely want to please the Lord Jesus Christ. This leads to what the Bible calls being born again or saved. The coach is waving the runner in, calling on his every effort to get “Home.” So Christ is spurring you on. His desire for you is victory. The faith and prayers of believers cheer you on toward home plate. God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 7
SAFE AT HOME! — OR OUT? If you get to home plate before the ball, you’re safe. Get there anyway you can … run, slide or dive. It is the same with Jesus Christ. He is HOME plate; don’t let anything keep you from reaching Him. He’ll receive you with open arms. You count and were created to please Him. He’ll give you meaning and purpose in this life and the life to come. Believing in Him is more than mental agreement with who Jesus is the Son of God, or what He did died on the cross for your sins. Both are true, but must lead to a heart commitment that receives Him as Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9,10; Acts 16:31. This is Saving Faith. Human umpires can miss the call at the plate calling some right and some wrong and the game can hang on that call! But God “has committed ALL judgement to the Son.” John 5:22 9
Therefore, Jesus Christ, the Home Plate Umpire, will never miss one call. All sin will be either forgiven or judged. He knows those with saving faith and those without it. There are just two words at the Final Judgement, “Safe” or “Out.” Heaven or Hell.
What is the call on you at home plate today? Safe or out?
SCORECARD
Know the score. Check those that apply to you today. ❏ I have yet to make a personal commitment to Christ. ❏ I am on First Base (Concerned). ❏ I am on Second Base (Convicted). ❏ I am rounding Third (Repenting). ❏ I am crossing the Plate and giving myself to Christ (Saving Faith). When you make this commitment to the Lord Jesus, God by grace, can forgive your sins because of Christ’s death on the cross. He receives you as His child and places His life and Spirit within you. Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6. You are then in His family and on His team. Thank Him for His love and mercy. Your faith will grow as you read the Bible daily, pray and attend a church that preaches the Bible. For teaching/study and children’s material, video or various language tract versions, contact us at (402) 933-4095 or (402) 359-1432 www.stepuptolife.com • sutlmail@aol.com
Step Up To Life Ministries 20301 Wirt Street P.O. Box 730 Elkhorn, NE 68022 U.S.A.