The Golden State Warriors are up 3-1 in their series against the Memphis Grizzlies as the team continues to find ways to win and appear poised to make another run to the NBA Finals.

As we know, the Warriors won the NBA Championship in 2015, 2017, and 2018 and after the last couple of seasons being filled with injuries, it’s great to see them back in the playoffs playing at a high level again.

Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, they’ve played the Nuggets and the Grizzlies and both teams have presented the Warriors with challenges.

Each team had star talent in Nikola Jokic and Ja Morant, but there’s one thing the Warriors have that no other team in the Western Conference playoffs has. Steph Curry consistently refers to it as “Championship DNA.”

The core of this team is the same as in their previous championships, still led by stars Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. They know they’re champions, and what it takes to be victorious, and they confidently approach each game with that ability to win inside of them.

So, when the Warriors find themselves in a tight game or see a teammate get injured or someone is in a shooting slump, they persevere and overcome because they can tap into their “Championship DNA.”

As followers of Jesus, we have to be reminded of our own “Championship DNA” and the reality that He lives within us and we have become champions and conquerors because of our faith in Christ’s death and resurrection.

This is why we can echo what Paul says in Galatians 2:20 (AMP): “I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him, I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

1 John 5:4 (AMP) also says, “For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].”

For those of us in Christ, we know what it takes to be victorious and we believe He has defeated sin and death. We can then confidently approach each day trusting that He lives in us and helps us to continue to win because of the “Championship DNA” He has given us.

Romans 8:11 (NLT) tells us, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

Romans 8:10 (AMP) explains, “If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides].”

So, when we find ourselves in a “tight game” or we see a teammate get injured or we’re in a slump, we’re able to persevere and overcome because we can tap into our “Championship DNA.”

Praise God for who we are in Christ and the power and Spirit we have within us!

Today, let’s pray this prayer from Paul in Ephesians 3:16-20 (NLT):

“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.

“Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your son Jesus to save me and to live within me. Thank you for the power I’m able to tap into and the strength I have because Jesus has made me victorious and more than a conqueror. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. What comes to mind when you think about how Jesus lives within you?

  2. What does it look like for you to live victoriously because of your “Championship DNA”?