FCA ResourcesDevotional
Christ is a Win-Win
Ready
“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” – Philippians 1:21-24
Set
Have you ever been a part of a win-win situation? For example, my jersey number has been number 23 for as long as I can remember. I had this number on every team, and when I switched to a new team, I wanted to have this number again. Come to find out, the girl who had the number wished to switch jerseys to get a different size and didn’t care about the number on the back. Ultimately, she gave me the jersey with the number I wanted, and she got mine, which was a better fit for her; we both won!
In writing to the church at Philippa, Paul told them about another win-win situation He was facing. In light of the spiritual persecution He was facing. Paul knew that his life was constantly in danger. Instead of fearing death, Paul described His death as a gain because He would be reunited with Christ in Heaven. He also wrote about how even if He didn’t die, He would still win because He would get more time to live for Christ.
With this attitude, Paul could not lose. When people threatened Him to stop preaching or die, that didn’t faze him. Paul had changed His way of thinking so the world could not win.
We, too, can change our thinking to where death and fear have no stronghold over us. We must remember that if we have a true relationship with Christ, no matter what happens to us here on earth, we will end up in the safety of our heavenly Father.
Go
- What is your biggest fear of death?
- When you think of heaven, what do you think of?
- What could you do to change your perspective to a win-win in life and as you compete?
Overtime
“Lord, what a blessing it is to know that no matter what this sinful world throws at us, we will always win with You. No matter what hardships we go through, the result is still eternity with You. Give us strength to work passionately for Your kingdom, leaving each person we talk to with a piece of Your love. Amen.”
Group