The GOLF Tract

God Offers Loving Forgiveness... 

FORE!! 

We all heard the warning yell and ducked to protect ourselves as the ball ricocheted in the trees near us.

Golf is a fascinating game but can also be frustrating and sometimes even dangerous as in the case of a wayward shot. Our journey through life offers many similarities. Consider the following:

1. In golf, there are many guidelines for playing the game of golf written and enforced by the United States Golf Association (USGA) that we must follow to avoid disqualification.

In life, we have a much higher Authority―God Himself.  God has provided the truths found in His Word, the Holy Bible, as our guide in life.

Sanctify them (make them holy) through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17).

2. In golf, each of us is given a “handicap” to ensure a level playing field.

In life, God’s word says that we are all equally “handicapped.” This handicap is called sin and “disables” or prohibits us from having a relationship with Him. No matter how much we try to improve our life by good works and righteous deeds, our status remains the same.

For all have sinned (missed the target) and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

3. In golf, our success is hindered by many obstacles. We may encounter sand traps, water hazards, boundaries, and even trees. 

In life, God may allow similar challenges, disappointments, or frustrations in our lives. Sometimes we may even ignore the rules of golf and pursue perfection by taking a “mulligan” to avoid the penalty for a wayward shot. God, however, does not allow “mulligans” in life. He demands that the penalty be paid for our sin before we can pass into heaven for eternity.

For the wages (payment) of sin is death (eternal separation from God) (Romans 6:23a).

The wonderful news is that God has already paid that penalty!

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

You see, a Holy God is the only One who is righteous enough to pay the penalty for sin. We can never do enough good deeds on our own that would cause God to declare our sin penalty “paid in full.” 

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us (Titus 3:5).

 …and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7b).

4. In golf, we keep our own scorecard to record our performance on the golf course. 

In life, God is the One who keeps the “scorecard” in His book called the Book of Life. Only those individuals who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith can have their names written in this book.

The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

5. In golf, success comes when we focus on the right targets. When playing on an unfamiliar course, however, we sometimes find ourselves aiming at the wrong target.  Take, for example, the following true story:

There were two foursomes playing golf. The last hole included playing up and over a hill with the approach to the green involving a blind shot. With only the very top of the flag visible, the players in the first group decided to play a prank by removing the flag from the cup and embedding it firmly in a huge sand trap to the left of the green. The next group aimed at the flag. Although their efforts were sincere, they obviously missed the target!

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In life, many people are aiming at targets which they think will get them to God and heaven. They may be sincere, but they are hitting a “blind shot.” God says there is only one way to heaven. That way is through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who paid our sin debt on the cross.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, except through Me (John 14:6).

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The Bible says that we can be made whole (complete) in Christ and freed from the penalty of sin! Through faith, we must accept the truth of God’s Word by trusting in Christ as the payment for our sin and for eternal life.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12).

We simply receive this unspeakable gift by calling on God and asking Him to save us.

For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

Do not trust in your changing feelings. Rather, trust only in the promises of God’s unchanging Word and His unfailing love. 

Call upon Him to save you today! When you do, you will experience the ultimate “whole in One” by being made complete in Christ.

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My Friend...

Are you following God’s rules? Do you understand your “sin handicap”? Do you realize that life offers no “mulligans”? Have you been aiming at the wrong target?

Just as in golf, what’s most important in life is the final outcome. Will your name be written in God’s Book of Life? It can be if you receive His gift to you today!

…behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2b).

Perhaps in the future, when you play the fascinating game of G-O-L-F, you’ll also be reminded of the wonderful fact―God Offers Loving Forgiveness!

Your Fellow Golfers,

Buddy and Andi MacDonald

Mesa, Arizona