Are you a Christian? How many times have you been frustrated or upset when you hear about a court ruling, a position held by a government agency or elected official that is in opposition to Jesus Christ, the gospel, God’s Word (the Bible) or maybe even limits the use of His name?  Then we see on television those who don’t believe in Christ celebrate as if they have won some victory over Jesus Himself. 

Well, I have some great news for you!  I call it “TiVo Theology.”

I am a huge Washington Redskin fan; not a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys, as you can imagine.  Let’s say that a coworker, a huge Cowboy fan, and I are working late one night when the Redskins are playing the Cowboys in Dallas.  Because we are both working late we will miss the game.  Don’t worry though, because I recorded it on TiVo.  By the time we get off work, the game is already over.  I invite my coworker to my house to watch it.  We both agree not to check the final score or listen to the radio as we drive separately to my house. 

I get my popcorn and my Mountain Dew to sit down and watch the game.  By the end of first quarter, the Cowboys are winning 21 – 3.  By the end of the first half the Cowboys are winning 45 – 10.  By the end of the third quarter, my coworker is jumping up and down with excitement as the Cowboys are winning 52-14, and they knock out the Redskins starting quarterback. 

My friend, out of breath because of his excitement and celebrating, turns to me and says, “How can you just sit there so calm and relaxed and not be even slightly upset?  Your team is losing 52-14 and your starting quarterback is out of the game.”  I simply reply, “It’s not over.”  “What?” my friend replies, “It was over at the end of the first quarter!”  I say, “No, you got it wrong.  There is still more time on the clock.  It’s not over.”   He can’t believe my response.  He jumps up and down and says there is no way that my team is going to win. 

I finally tell him the truth, “You see, when I got into my car the game had already ended and the sports radio channel was on.  Before I could lean over and turn it off, I heard the announcer say that in tonight’s Redskin/Cowboy game, the Redskins had the greatest comeback in NFL history.  In the fourth quarter, with a second string quarterback, they came back to tie the score at the end of regulation.  They ended up winning in over time with a 57 yard field goal.  So you see, even though we are living the game out right now, it is already over and the Redskins have already won.”

The same is true for Christians.  Even though it looks like Christians are experiencing set backs from time to time, you should be encouraged because according to the Bible, the game is over and Jesus Christ is the Victor.  The Bible says in Philippians 2:6-11 referring to Jesus,

“Who, being in very naturet God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very naturet of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus has conquered death, He saves us from our sins and in the end, the very end, He will judge the living and the dead.  Matthew 25 talks about how during Judgment Time, He will separate the sheep from the goats.  The sheep represent those who believe in Him; the goats represent those who don’t. 

To the sheep He says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world…” (Matthew 25:34).  To the goats he says, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

Are you a sheep or a goat?

The game is over; Jesus won!  We are simply living it out.