The Outside Reflecting The Inside

When I took over the Indianapolis Colts, I came preaching a manner of football that was slightly different from what they had played before.

On offense, I wanted us to focus on taking care of the ball—no turnovers. That meant being less aggressive than they were used to.

Similarly, on defense, our scheme was predicated on taking care of each person’s responsibility, sometimes by “staying at home.”

During that first year, we made the playoffs, but a 41–0 playoff loss showed our guys’ actions didn’t mirror their words.

It’s not that they didn’t mean well or weren’t being truthful, but in their core, their beliefs didn’t quite match up, so in crucial situations they would revert to old habits.

Ultimately, our actions really do indicate the state of our hearts as well as the extent of our faith in the living God. If we truly believe that we are seeking God and His will for our lives, that should be reflected in how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis.

His Promises

I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.