As sports fans, we're pleased when our favorite team drafts high-level players and love it when they spend their whole career with that team. However, there are countless situations when a player no longer wants to be with a specific team or the two sides can’t agree on a contract extension, so a player asks to be traded. We’ve seen this play out significantly in the NFL this offseason as multiple marquee players like Russell Wilson, Davante Adams, AJ Brown, Matt Ryan, and Tyreek Hill were all traded. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk asked Colts G.M., Chris Ballard, about the willingness of teams to move on from unhappy players, and this is how Ballard responded: “Mike Tomlin says it best.” Ballard was referring to this previous comment made by the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach: “We can’t do this with hostages, man. We need volunteers. We need good players, good guys who want to be here and if guys can’t check those boxes, it’s probably best for all parties involved to go our separate ways.” Ballard continued with Florio by explaining, “I always say, ‘You want volunteers.’ You want people that want to be here. So when you get a player who doesn’t want to be in your organization anymore, you can play hardball — which sometimes we all do — but you want volunteers. You want people who want to be here.” Tomlin and Ballard’s desire for volunteers makes so much sense because they don’t want to force their players to stay or trap them in an unwanted situation. A team has more success when players genuinely and freely submit to the coach’s plan and fully buy into the team, instead of reluctantly going through the motions out of obligation or not wanting to be there. I believe this concept of volunteers and hostages can also be a good reminder for us today. The truth is, God loves us so much and His plan for us is the best, but He’s not going to force us or trap us into following Him. He invites us to know Him and draws us to Himself, but we also have the freedom to go our own way. He’s looking for volunteers, not hostages! So are we willingly following Him? Do we want to be in His presence? Do we think His team and His way are the best or do we think something else is better out there? Another way of looking at it is realizing we're actually "hostages" to sin without Jesus. Thankfully, however, He offers us freedom when we submit and surrender to Him. Romans 6:6 (NLT) says, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” John 8:31-36 (NLT) explains, “Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, 'You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' "'But we are descendants of Abraham,' they said. 'We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?'” "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.’” Becoming “volunteers” on God's team and being set free from sin means we no longer have to be trapped as described in Romans 8:7-8 (AMP): “…the mind of the flesh is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” We also have the good news that we don’t have to be held hostage by earning salvation through good works. In Christ, we are free – we become “volunteers” and choose to do what’s right instead of feeling forced. Galatians 5:1 (NLT) reminds us, “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.” At the same time, 1 Peter 2:16 in the Living Bible translation tells us, “You are free from the law, but that doesn’t mean you are free to do wrong. Live as those who are free to do only God’s will at all times.” Today, let’s not go back to being a hostage. Instead, let’s move forward surrendering freely…volunteering to follow God’s plan…and willingly accepting His salvation. Let's remember it's by His grace and mercy, that we’re free from the punishment of sin and now voluntarily remain on His team. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to send Jesus to set me free from the bondage of sin. I freely choose to follow You and surrender to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What has your faith journey been like in regards to being a volunteer and a hostage?
How has freedom in Christ changed your life?
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