The Lakers and Warriors began their much anticipated second-round playoff matchup with Los Angeles holding onto a 117-112 Game 1 win.

In the 4th quarter, the Lakers couldn’t score for 4-1/2 minutes as the Warriors scored 14 straight points to tie the game with under two minutes left.

The Lakers eventually hit a three to take the lead and the Warriors had one last chance to tie the game as they were down 115-112 with under 20 seconds.

Steph Curry, who was hot from the 3-point line in the 4th quarter had the ball with the clock ticking but was double-teamed by the Lakers’ defense.

He passed the ball to Draymond Green who then passed to Jordan Poole who took a long 30-foot 3-pointer with ten seconds left on the clock. Unfortunately, he missed the shot and the Lakers rebounded the ball to seal the win.

Some of the discussion following the game was about the shot Poole took and whether or not it was a good or bad shot to take. In other words, people were asking if that was really a shot Poole should have taken at that moment.

The result of the shot was not what the Warriors wanted, but some would argue there was nothing wrong with him taking the shot because he had some space to throw it up and he’s a good 3-point shooter. Others would say, even if it went in, it still wasn’t the right shot to take.

It wasn’t the best shot because it was farther out than it had to be and it also wasn’t ideal considering Poole isn’t Steph Curry. The team probably would have preferred Curry to be the one taking the last shot.

Also, there was still some time on the clock and even though Poole was capable of shooting that potential game-tying three, it probably wasn’t what was best for the team.

Within the Warriors’ offense, there’s freedom for Poole to take that shot, but he could have passed on it so the team could get a better shot off. Just because the opportunity was there for Poole to tie the game and he wanted to go for it, doesn’t mean he should have taken the shot.

If we parallel this to our lives as followers of Jesus, we can relate to having freedom because Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin and death and we are free from needing to earn salvation through perfect obedience to the law.

Galatians 5:1 (NLT) says, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

Paul also warns us in Galatians 5:13 (AMP), “For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.” 

Although we are saved by faith and not by works, it doesn’t mean we use our freedom to take whatever “shot” we selfishly want to. We have the freedom to make choices every day and we must desire to take the right shots at the right time.

Jordan Poole had the freedom to take the shot and it wasn’t necessarily bad, but it wasn’t what was best for the team. Likewise, certain decisions aren’t necessarily bad, but they’re not God’s best. Just because an opportunity is there “to tie the game” and we want to go for it, doesn’t mean we should take the shot.

Paul writes about a similar principle in 1 Corinthians. 6:12 (NIV): “’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

The Living Bible translates 1 Corinthians 6:12 this way: “I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren’t good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I’ll refuse to if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can’t easily stop when I want to.”

Later on, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NLT), “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is beneficial.”

The Living Bible translates 1 Corinthians 10:23 like this: “You are certainly free to eat food offered to idols if you want to; it’s not against God’s laws to eat such meat, but that doesn’t mean that you should go ahead and do it. It may be perfectly legal, but it may not be best and helpful.”

The encouragement for us today is to live in freedom because of Christ while pursuing holiness and God’s best. Let’s not find excuses to sin or even “take shots” that might not be bad, but just aren’t ideal for us or those around us. As we consider what we eat, drink, say, watch, and do, let’s ask God for His wisdom as we follow His path.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) tells us, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I praise You for the freedom I have in Christ. Please help me not to get caught up in the law or look for ways to abuse Your grace. I desire to make the best decisions in life that bring You glory and honor, so please help me to know when something isn’t ideal or beneficial. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.