In football, many games are lost on one or two plays. Often, I have heard, “If he had caught the ball, we would have won the game.” You need really good receivers…whether it is a glue-fingered outside receiver, a running back out of the backfield or a tight end, catching the ball is important to winning. In baseball, another name for a catcher is a receiver. A good catcher does a really good job receiving the ball in a way that he/she frames the pitch to make it look like a strike to the umpire. Also, a catcher has to work hard to block pitches so that they do not go to the back stop. A good receiver must always be in synch with his pitcher. This is hard work. Very seldom do teams win the coveted World Series without a good catcher/receiver. In basketball, the point guard needs players who move without the ball to receive his passes. And, these guys have to have “soft” hands to be good receivers. Frequently, a close game is lost when one of the players misplays a beautiful pass that rolls off their hands. In soccer, off ball movement is huge going to space to receive the pass from a playmaker. Receiving is huge in sports.
Do you know that receiving is paramount in your Christian walk? You cannot work yourself into salvation or to walk the walk that Jesus wants you to live in your own strength. Only Jesus can live that life. So, how do we live like Him? You have to receive the Holy Spirit (the Bible calls the Holy Spirit “another one like Jesus”) daily and live a life of faith.
- Romans 1:17 states it his way, “17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” When you live by faith, you receive the Holy Spirit’s love, power and courage. You have to be a good receiver so that He can live the life of Jesus in you and through.
- John 1:12 is clear about this, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Doing God actually is receiving God.
- Ephesians 2:8&9 declares, “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” We are to live the moments of life by His grace which is not from ourselves but “is the gift of God.”
- Galatians 2:20 is dynamic, “20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Are you a good receiver? If not, stop trying to work your tail off living the Christian life in your own strength. It doesn’t work…“not by works, so that no one can boast.” A simple heart-felt, faithful prayer will transform your walk, “Lord, I recognize that my self-generated efforts have been fruitless. I receive your Holy Spirit by faith and will trust you in every aspect of my life. I choose to allow you to live your life in me and through me. Thank you for your grace and mercy.” Become a great receiver!
Barnabas Man 