The Heavenly Playoffs: Settle It with Christ, Not a Committee

The Heavenly Playoffs: Settle It with Christ, Not a Committee

The debate is hot. Alabama Football’s spot in the college playoffs hung in the balance, hinging on a committee’s decision. The arguments raged — should Alabama’s worst performances (those losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma) outweigh their best, an amazing victory over the SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs? Many are passionate, some for, some against. But no matter where you land, there’s a deeper spiritual lesson to learn from this debate, one that stirs gratitude and hope.

I’m so thankful that God doesn’t judge us based on our worst performances, but rather on our greatest performance: accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. In the divine scheme of things, our eternal fate doesn’t rest on a committee or on a list of our failures and flaws. Instead, it’s determined by a single, life-changing decision to embrace Christ and His righteousness.

Immediate Righteousness, Immediate Victory

In college football, a few bad games can cost a team their playoff spot. A team’s fate lies in the hands of people with opinions, biases, and sometimes, agendas. But in our spiritual lives, there’s no such uncertainty. When you accept Christ, His righteousness is immediate, covering you instantly and completely. You don’t need to perform perfectly for God to declare you righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us:

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

This isn’t something we earn. It’s a gift. The moment we say “yes” to Christ, our spot in the Heavenly Playoffs — the (CFB) Christian Faith Bowl — is secure.

Not Based on Your Worst Game

Imagine if your eternity was determined by your worst moments: your greatest failures, those times you fell short, gave in to temptation, or made a mess of things. That would be like Alabama being judged solely by their losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. But praise God, that’s not how it works!

When you accept Jesus, He erases the stains of your worst performances. Psalm 103:12 says:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

God’s grace means your worst day doesn’t define you. Your best decision day does — the day you decided to trust in Christ.

Don’t Leave It to a Committee

In football, the fate of a team can rest on a group of people who might love them, be indifferent, or even be downright biased against them. The committee can be for you or against you. But in your spiritual life, you don’t have to leave your eternal destiny in anyone else’s hands. There’s no need for you to depend on a committee of peers, family, or friends to convince God you’ve done enough to get in.

Instead, settle it on the field and the game of life. Make the decision to follow Jesus today. Romans 10:9 makes it clear:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Secure Your Spot in the Heavenly Playoffs

Unlike Alabama in their game against Oklahoma, don’t stumble or leave your fate in question. Don’t wait until it’s too late, hoping someone can plead your case. In the Game of Life, the victory is already won through Christ. By accepting Him, you secure your spot in the eternal celebration — the ultimate championship where no committee can exclude you.

So, settle it today. Accept Christ and know your place in Heaven is reserved. No debates. No uncertainty. Just the joy of knowing you are judged not by your failures, but by your faith.

God isn’t looking at your losses. He’s looking at your decision to trust His Son. And that’s the victory that matters most.

Martin Houston, Lead Pastor Harvest Church

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