"Losers Really Win!"

I was reading a back issue of the Reader's Digest, September 1998 to be exact, and came across an article about Ted Turner who owns several television networks. In this article, Mr. Turner states, "Christianity is for losers!" as he was describing what he thought of those who believe in God's word. After reading the article, it made me realize that in his eyes, winners are those who are successful financially and powerful in society! Bottom line, he believes being a winner has nothing to do with Christ Jesus.

Think carefully about the statement, "Christianity is for losers!" He has a very valid point. Christ is for losers! Now don't start with the positive thinking mind set. Follow me here. We are a people who had lost our way, alienated ourselves from God and at times, failed miserably in our lives. God's word reminds us of this very thing in Rom. 3:23. People can act like they have never sinned or think themselves as above sinfulness, but the facts from God tell us who we really are. "There is none righteous, not even one." (Rom. 3:10) In God's eyes, there is not one person good enough to make it on their own. We are all losers!

Here comes Christ into the world and who is He reaching to? The ungodly losers! "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." (Rom. 5:6) Christ died for the sinful, pitiful, ungodly people that have destroyed relationships and wandered off into sin, while separating themselves from God. Christ did not die for us when we were winners, but losing sinners! Our lives were doomed to an eternal separation from God, a place of eternal doom and condemnation. What did God do? He wants us to win, to be saved, so Christ became the One to lay down His life in our place.

Now comes the real beauty. Christ took us, a bunch of ungodly, sinful losers and made us winners...real, eternal winners! Our sins were atoned for and taken out of the way that cost us a relationship with God, with Christ Jesus paying the ultimate price. We were united with Him in baptism (Rom. 6) and raised with Him, being clothed with Him (Gal. 3:26-27; Col. 2:12). God views us differently because He sees Christ instead of us. We are holy and blameless before God because of Christ (Col. 1:22).

Mr. Turner was right, "Christianity is for losers!" Without Christ our Lord, there will be no winners! All of us loser really win!! Rejoice, your sins in Christ have been forgiven and God is for us (Rom. 8:31-39)! Victory is ours through Christ! I wonder where this puts Mr. Turner and others with his mindset?