The Los Angeles Rams won the NFC West division last year with a surprising 11-5 record. They burst onto the scene with first-year head coach, Sean McVay, and rising young stars Todd Gurley and Jared Goff leading the way.
Hoping to keep the momentum going, they’ve spent the offseason making some big moves. This week, they traded for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and earlier acquired cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. They also signed Ndamukong Suh, John Sullivan, and Dominique Easley.
Showing they're all in to win should create a buzz in LA, get the fans excited to buy tickets, and quickly build a fanbase in the team’s new home.
With all the trades and free agent signings of well-known players, the team has been able to steal the offseason headlines and make some noise across the NFL. The media is taking notice of their activity and giving them credit for the moves they’ve made.
Although winning a Super Bowl is the goal, winning the offseason doesn’t always translate. Looking good on paper and having the most talented names on a roster doesn't necessarily lead to holding up the Lombardi Trophy.
Oftentimes, there's a similar misunderstanding when it comes to faith, good works, and salvation. Many people spend their lives trying to be “good” on paper by following the rules, doing nice things, and trying to earn God’s favor.
Then there are those who think they could never be good enough for God to love them, so they give up and never follow Him.
The truth is, looking good on paper and having a bunch of “offseason” activity, buzz, and action doesn't lead to the victorious life. Thankfully, our salvation isn’t based on our good works or doing everything right, but instead, dependent on the work Jesus did for us on the cross.
When we place our faith and trust in Him, we are changed and our good works are a byproduct, but they're not the reason we’re saved.
Galatians 2:16 (NLT) explains, "Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”
Today, let’s not get caught up in doing a bunch of activity just for attention...or buy the lie that we win by making a “big splash in the offseason.” Instead, let’s rest in God’s grace as we place our faith in Him. Let’s obey and do good works based on the victory we already claim.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm thankful that I don't have to earn salvation and I'm grateful You show me so much grace. I pray I'd be motivated to do good works because You love me, rather than to earn your love. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
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