By Matt Osborne, Staff Writer If you were busy getting hyped up for the Super Bowl last week, you very easily could have missed the fact that the NBA trade deadline passed on February 9th. As always, there was a frenzy of trades happening during the final 24 hours, with the highlight being Kevin Durant getting traded out west to join the Phoenix Suns in their quest for an NBA title. I have always been interested in seeing the different approaches that teams take when it comes to maneuvering the trade deadline. Some teams are willing to give up a multitude of future assets to acquire “the right piece” to help them pursue a championship, such as the Suns. Conversely, other teams put their best players on the trade market to acquire draft picks and players that can help them years down the road. These differing approaches are usually determined by the current state of that particular franchise. Teams that feel they are on the brink of being a championship contender tend to give up long-term assets in order to “win now.” Franchises that are hovering near the bottom of the league seem to take the opposite approach, recognizing that sacrificing one of their better players in the here and now might allow them to build a true contender in the future. Overall, the teams that ultimately have the most success with their transactions are the ones that have the most accurate assessment of their current roster. If a general manager fails to recognize that his team is not truly a contender, they might foolishly send away assets that cripple the team’s ability to compete down the road. Likewise, a GM who undervalues his team could trade away valuable pieces that may have helped the team contend for a title now. In the NBA, it is vitally important that the people in charge of constructing the team’s roster have a correct assessment of where their team truly is. For all of us, the same importance exists when it comes to having a correct assessment of our spiritual state. Speaking on the state of all of humanity apart from the saving work of Christ, the Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:10-12 (NIV): “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” A correct assessment of our lack of goodness and worthiness apart from Jesus is such a critical part of understanding the gospel and growing in our affection for the Lord. The fact of the matter is that none of us are “contenders” for heaven on our own. We have all sinned and fallen horrifically short of God’s perfect standard of holiness (Romans 3:23). Worse yet is the fact that none of us can fix our fallen state by simply “trying harder” or “doing better.” As Romans 3:20 (NIV) tells us, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law…” But the good news of the gospel is that, though we are unworthy and undeserving of eternal life, God graciously offers to trade us the righteousness of Jesus Christ for our filthy sin. For us to receive this trade, however, we must start by having that correct assessment of our fallenness. Speaking to self-righteous Pharisees who didn’t recognize their need for a Savior in John 9:41 (BLB), Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would have no sin. But since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains.” The beautiful truth is that when we recognize the severity of our problem, it helps us to better treasure the mercy and kindness of a beautiful Savior who died on the cross to rescue us from our sins. Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, thinking about my brokenness no longer leads to feelings of condemnation. Instead, it leads to a celebration of His kindness! So what about you? Do you have a correct assessment of your worthiness apart from Christ? Have you seen that you are unable to earn eternal life for yourself? Have you looked outside of yourself to put all of your trust in the work of Jesus at Calvary? I hope that the answer to those questions is “yes.” If not, I implore you to entrust your eternal salvation to the only One who lived up to God’s perfect standard: the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s all take some time today to marvel at our merciful God who offers to trade us His righteousness for our sins. I’m Matt Osborne and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that I have sinned and fallen short of Your standard. I also recognize that there is nothing that I can do on my own to save myself from my sin. Thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross so that I might trade my sin for His righteousness. Help me to treasure Jesus more in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. Why do you think it can be so difficult for us to admit the severity of our sin problem?
2. How have you discovered that recognition of your brokenness has led to increased affection for Jesus?
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