The College Football Playoff has been set with Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama as the teams chosen to compete. The fallout of the committee’s selections has generated differing opinions, which include outrage and confusion about Florida State being left out and justification and celebration for the teams that did make it. The debates and perspectives on who the four teams should be are fascinating as fans, coaches, administrations, media members, and players all weigh in. Here are some of the common responses being communicated.
How could Florida State be left out with a perfect record of 13-0?
Florida State earned a spot in the playoff because of their record, elite defense, and going 2-0 against SEC opponents.
Alabama deserves to be in the Playoff because they won the SEC Championship and their conference is the best.
Alabama doesn’t deserve to make it instead of Florida State since they lost to Texas.
How could a one-loss team like Texas get in, and not an undefeated Florida State team?
When compared to the other teams, Florida State without their injured quarterback, Jodan Travis, isn't good enough to be included.
The committee’s (and others') standards for judging which teams are worthy, are biased and reveal personal opinions about certain teams.
The selections can't be based on what happened on the field, or Florida State would belong in the playoff.
The debate rages on as people argue about the teams they believe should be in the Playoff and the ones that should be left out.
Everyone continues to make their case for which teams earned it and which teams deserved it. However, in the end, the College Football Playoff committee was in charge and they determined these were the four teams who would get in.
As we think about this situation and the passionate conversations college football fans are engaging in, I’m reminded of similar thought processes and comments people make when it comes to other areas of life.
If we’re honest, don't we often make judgments about what we think other people deserve, good or bad? We're outraged when people get something we don't think they've earned or we're upset when something bad happens to someone who we don't think deserves it.
We also use our own opinions and biases to determine whether or not someone has earned an opportunity or a blessing based on our standards. We might think some people deserve to be "blessed" more because of their "record," and they've earned what they've been given while others haven't.
Oftentimes, we'll even compare ourselves to others and feel like we deserve to be more "blessed" than them because we have "better wins" and get upset when we aren't rewarded properly.
Just like fans who think they know better than the CFP committee, we think we know better than God.
This type of thinking that everything has to be earned or deserved can affect our perspective on who we think deserves forgiveness and salvation and God's grace, love, and mercy.
If we aren't careful, we start believing a performance-based gospel where certain people should "get in" and others should be "left out" of heaven with criteria based on accomplishments.
The truth is, God has made a way for all of us to inherit eternal life (through faith in Christ) and thankfully, it's not based on whether or not we've earned it or deserved it. If that was the case, nobody deserves it!
Romans 3:23 (ESV) tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ultimately, because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can receive God's mercy and grace that we don't deserve.
As Ephesians 2:4-5 (AMP) explains, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, even when we were dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment)."
So today, as we think about which teams we think deserve to make it into the Playoff, let's be reminded that we're the ones who should be "left out."
However, because of Jesus, we've been given an invitation that we didn't earn - to be with God for eternity!
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm so grateful for the undeserved grace You show me. I'm thankful for Jesus and the salvation I've received that I didn't earn. Help me to show others grace and mercy, as well - even when I don't think they deserve it. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
In what ways can you admit to being upset or frustrated about others receiving something you feel they didn't deserve?
Why is it so important to understand that salvation isn't earned or deserved, but it's a free gift of God?
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