Likely one of the fastest, as well as most action-packed, games played is hockey. When attending a game, one can blink an eye and miss a play, and worse yet, a score. Considering our present level of conditioning and how deeply ingrained we have become with TV tech-nology and all, without realizing it, one expects to see an instant replay. Of course, that does not happen. As a result, our state of alertness revives for the duration of any attended game.
Baseball on the other hand may go on for hours. One inning alone may seemingly endure forever, especially when your team is not at bat. In its design, characteristically, a number of "threes" are built into the game, such as, the three bases to run, three batters to strike out, and the three strikes required to knock out any given batter. Batter up, play ball! It's a long, though exciting, slow game which has become the passion of untold millions worldwide. Surprisingly, whether it is known globally or not, a certain "brood" of so-called Christians has developed a spiritual variation of the same pastime of so many fans.
What has the scriptural "brood" done, one might wonder? Well, in an effort to speed up the spiritual version of the game of baseball, the "brood" has shortened each player's time at bat. Christian baseball says, "One strike and your're out!" This way the game speeds to an uncanny finish for each participant involved. One mistake, one error, one blip, one glitch and the "brood" declares you out. What they do is condemn you and label you as a batter destined for hell. Total unforgiveness for missing your swing at bat or stumbling on your run between bases reigns. "Strike one, you're out!"
But what does the rule book for all players in the game of Christian baseball say? In Matthew 6:14 Jesus says, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if you forgive not men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Even in the world, batters are allowed three strikes and as many times at bat as the life of the game permits. In the spiritual realm, for the bona fide Christians, Peter's conversation with the Lord depicts the true rules of play for all. Peter asked how many times he should forgive another who sins (errs) against him. He figured seven times would be adequate. Jesus sort of said, "Give your head a shake." He said, "Until seventy times seven." In Luke 17:4, Jesus said, "If someone sins agains you seven times in a day, and ...turns to you sayiing, 'I repent; you shall forgive him.'" As you can well see, in all of our innings in this earthly life, we try to get it right for eternal life. It's not just "one strike and your're out!" If it were, Christ died in vain and heaven need not exist for none would make it.
Hebrews 12:1 reminds Christians that they are surrounded by so many witnesses that they are best advised to be role models for the lost. Each one should instead of personifying sin, "...throw off everything that hinders...and do what the Lord called each to do." Verse 2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." For any Christian with the false call of "umpire"; that is, one who usurps the place of the Holy Spirit, Mathew 18:15-17 says if one who offends you hears the church, he gets a fourth chance. Now that's Christian baseball! http://www. geocities. Com/ baba labean. Also on 106.9 fm on chrq Sundays at 8 a.m. Sponsored by CFP Concepts, Inc., C'ton, NB