We are through five weeks of the NFL season, and so far, we’ve seen many close games, surprising outcomes, and plenty of reminders that any team can win at any time.
With the Jaguars’ first win on Sunday, every team in the NFL has at least one win this season, and week five consisted of nine matchups that finished with a team winning within one score:
Cowboys pulled out a 20-17 win over the Steelers.
Packers hung on 24-19 against the Rams.
The Cardinals came back to win 24-23 in a tight one with the 49ers.
The Ravens won a shootout against the Bengals in overtime, 41-38.
The Texans squeaked by the Bills 23-20.
The Jaguars defeated the Colts 37-34.
Dolphins beat their divisional rival, Patriots, 15-10.
The Vikings took care of the Jets 23-17.
Falcons needed overtime for a victory over the Bucs 36-30.
Every NFL team has a chance to win, and regardless of how flawed or discredited some teams may be, they can still find a way to win. The Giants and Broncos proved that last week.
Even last year’s struggling teams, such as the Vikings, Falcons, and Commanders, are given new life this season. They are all in first place in their division.
The NFL has structured its league to allow every team to win and turn their team around. Even if every team doesn’t fully take advantage of this, the NFL desires the whole league to be competitive and for each team to have hope of winning.
The NFL's system of giving every team a chance to win parallels God's design for everyone in this world to have an opportunity to “win” and be saved.
According to 1 Timothy 2:4-6 (NLT), He “…wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.”
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) tells us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Jesus died and rose again so that everyone (through Him) would have the opportunity to live. He desires anyone and everyone to know Him and choose to surrender to Him.
We all have chances to win through Jesus by placing our faith in Him, and regardless of how flawed we may be or how much others discredit us, victory is still attainable for everyone.
There is hope that anyone can experience that victory because He made it available to all of us. Anyone can turn their life around when they turn toward Jesus and find new life in Him.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Today, as teams across the league prepare for their next game, knowing “any team can win any game” and no team is too far out of it, let’s remember that Jesus came for everyone and anyone, and nobody is too far gone.
We shouldn’t give up on anyone who doesn’t know Jesus because victory is still possible, and hope is always there.
Let’s be encouraged by these powerful words from Titus 2:11-14 (NLT): “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.
“We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
“He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for saving someone as flawed as me, for my victory in Jesus, and for the life You’ve given me both now and for eternity. Please show me the people You want me to share Your hope and victory with. It’s true that everyone needs You, and You’ve made it possible for anyone to know You, so please help me remember that. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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