Through four weeks of the NFL season, we have a decent idea of each team’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills have really strong defenses while their offenses have been up and down.
On the flip side, the Chiefs, Ravens, and Rams have had impressive offensive numbers while their defenses haven’t been as reliable.
Bill Barnwell wrote this intriguing tidbit about NFL history on ESPN.com: “It's almost impossible to be good at everything in the modern NFL. We're not that far removed from an era in which the league's best teams were dominant on both sides of the ball. From 1991 to 1999, at least one team in each season posted a top-five finish in both offensive and defensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).”
It seems that now teams tend to overemphasize one aspect of the game or one side of the ball more than the other. So, is it offense or defense? Is it running or passing? Some argue that it’s all about defense or having a star quarterback, while others believe the key is running the football or forcing more turnovers.
Ultimately, it really comes down to putting a focus on “and” instead of “or.” The best teams know they need a strong defense and a solid offense in order to consistently win. They understand the importance of the rushing attack and the passing game, and don't expect to win the Super Bowl without valuing both.
It will be interesting to see which teams make adjustments and no longer remain so one-sided by the end of the year.
Unfortunately, a similar one-sided mindset can creep in when understanding salvation and the role of faith and works. Too often works are emphasized over faith, just as grace is separated from obedience. We end up focusing on “or” instead of “and.”
The good news is that we are saved because of our faith (not our works) and our belief that Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness of our sin.
Genuine faith through the power of the Holy Spirit leads to good works, obedience, and a life change, which shows that our life with Jesus is about faith and works.
The Bible explains this in Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "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."
James 2:14;17; 18 (ESV) also tells us: "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?...So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
I believe Super Bowls are won with the “and mentality.” Likewise, when we follow Jesus, it is crucial to understand the importance of “and” as we remember that our faith in Jesus leads to good works.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please make it clear in my mind and heart what it means to have faith and good works. Help me not to separate the two, but understand what it means to have both. My reliance is on Jesus for salvation, and I pray my faith in Him compels me to do good works for Your glory. In His name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
Do you find yourself having an approach to life that is one-sided toward faith or works?
What are the results when we lean too much on grace or too much toward works?
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