"Golf and God" (Part 3)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).

Following our analogy of playing the game of golf and living the Christian life, the second thing we must master is the right grip. There are different kinds of grips in golf. I favor the interlocking grip, though I must confess I am not an expert by any means. I do know that all the material I have read indicates you must practice a proper, consistent grip if you ever want to strike the ball well. That brings me to the question today for all of us. What kind of grip do you have in your Christian life? The writer urges us to throw off the sin that so easily entangles us. He’s talking about a proper grip!

Some years ago I had lunch with one of the most prominent men in East Texas. In fact, he is one of the wealthiest men in Texas, listed in “the top 100.” He told me of one of his account executives who had an alcohol problem. He just couldn’t seem to overcome his addiction. He said this man came to him and said, “I wish to God that I could start life over again. I’d sure take a different road. But I’m so gripped by my habit that I can’t quit. I guess I’ll just go to hell.” My answer to that man is the same as for any of us who can’t seem to overcome our challenges. Any of us can find the right path if we simply get the right grip. That grip is in our complete faith and trust in Jesus!

When the writer of this letter speaks of “the sin that entangles” he’s talking about all of those little habits and patterns of life that become immense burdens in our lives. We live our lives in that past failure and don’t recognize that the completed work of Christ on the cross sets us free from all of that. It breaks the bondage of sin over our lives. The grace of God delivers us from those “entanglements.”

I’m sure this is not new to you. You have heard me say or read of me that past failures and future fears must not rob us of present joy. The weapons of our enemy are in our past failures. How often have we failed to forgive ourselves when our heavenly Father has already done so? How often have we been paralyzed by the unknown nature of the future when our heavenly Father has already secured it for us? Jesus is the right grip. Lay hold of Him and don’t turn loose! He won’t let go of you!