probably been victims of it. It causes people
to run away rather than come toward Christ
in those moments. It is definitely tough.”
As we discuss this dichotomy, it’s important
to distinguish between athletic performance
and spiritual performance. At their roots, they
are as different as badminton and bowling.
Athletic performance is tangible and visceral.
We do it with our bodies and can see it in
action. We can measure our results against
others and feel our hearts pound with
excitement as we compete, or watch others.
God has graciously provided this as a gift for
our enjoyment. Athletic performance is also
a “common grace”: We should do it for God’s
glory, just like everything else, but you don’t
have to be a Christian to play sports.
Spiritual performance, on the other hand,
is something completely outside our own
abilities, talents, and efforts. The sinless
performance we needed to fulfill God’s
perfect law was accomplished by Someone
else—the Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritual
benefits from Christ’s “per-formance” are
only available to those who call upon his
name. These benefits are endless, but aren’t
always tangible or visceral; they take place
invisibly within the human heart, mind, and
soul.
But there are plenty of benefits that clearly
mark a believer, such as “the joy of the Holy
Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6) and “the peace
of God, which surpasses all understanding”
(Philippians 4:7). And of course, the final
benefit, eternal life in the presence of our
Savior, will be a real, tangible blessing beyond
56 • Solutions