Touch All The Bases

Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.

2 Peter 1:10, HCSB

MARK MCGWIRE’S SUPERSTAR STATUS was destroyed by his eventual confession to the use of steroids to enhance his performance with the baseball bat. His muddied legacy is a lesson about the importance of being men of honesty and integrity.

But in the summer of 1998, when McGwire broke Roger Maris’s single-season home run record (61), he taught us another lesson: It’s critical to touch all the bases. On that historic run, McGwire rounded first base without touching the bag and had to be called back by the first-base coach. He had to return and tag the base. Otherwise, the record-breaking home run would not have counted.

Details are important—often critical—to the success of an endeavor. Dr. Bailey Smith uses that McGwire story to challenge Sunday morning congregations to make sure they haven’t missed any critical points in their faith journey.

Dr. Smith, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, emphasizes that we must make certain of our salvation. He has preached that sermon many times, and countless church leaders—even pastors—have been among those coming to a living faith in Christ for the first time. It is of eternal importance that we make certain of our relationship with Christ. Use a stake to mark each spiritual milestone in your life.

BOTTOM LINE

We need to be clear about our salvation. God desires us to have great confidence and assurance.

Moment of Strength: Matthew 13:24-30