Catcher's Equipment

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 5:17-18

5 Tools

• Many ballplayers seem to be born with the ability to run fast or hit a ball hard. Most guys, however, need to practice every day to develop and complement the skills they need to compete at a high level. The level of a player's achievement and success seems to be a direct proportion with his desire and willingness to improve his skills. The fruit of this desire to improve are the tools a ballplayer needs to help his team win. In the same way, if we live life passionately in the Spirit, we will develop the tools we need to show Christ's love. It is only though the Holy Spirit living in us that we as believers can produce Christian virtues. If a batter jogs slowly to first base after a hit then realizes he could have made it to second when the outfielder bobbled the ball, it is not the lack of speed that kept him from advancing, but rather the lack of hustle and desire. In our Christian lives, when we fall short of God's expectations of us, it is not because we are unable to have joy or self control in our lives, but rather that we lack the Holy Spirit's guidance in our spiritual walk with Christ.

Outfield Fly Ball

• A deep fly ball, a liner in the gap, a Texas-leaguer- sometimes the ball does not come directly at the outfielder. To have the best chance at catching the ball, the fielder needs to take the best route to where the ball will land. If the ball is hit deep, he should not run in or to the left or right but should run straight back. On a ball hit into the gap, an outfielder needs to judge whether he can cut the ball off by running directly across the field or by angling more towards the wall. If the best route is not taken, the ball could get by the fielder and advance the runners. The situations we face in our lives must also be handled with the same judgment. If we do not take the best path in handling a situation, the direction laid out by God, we will misplay the chance to do God's will. How do we know what path to take? Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind; then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will." We need to trust God, avoid foolishness, and let our minds be renewed by Christ. Knowing and doing God's will is the best route we can take for each ball life hits our way.

The Rally

• The power of momentum in baseball is an undeniable force. Late inning rallies seem to materialize through an intangible energy coming from the collective confidence of the team and the crowd. Behind the success of any team can be found teammates and coaches that root for one another and drive each other toward excellence. Christians also must encourage and spur one another on to maturity in Christ. It is vitally important for believers to edify others through kind words, joyful attitudes, and affirming actions. All relationships, to overcome the difficulties of life, must be built up through Godly encouragement. Driven by a common purpose, like a rallying baseball team, Christians can overcome the opposing forces that aim to deliver defeat.

Eye on the Ball

• The key to many of the fundamentals of baseball is what the eyes are looking at. Batters need to see the pitch all the way in and keep their eye on the ball when swinging. A fielder needs to watch the ball all the way until he catches or fields it. If the eyes are closed or turn away from the ball the fielder is less likely to catch the ball and the batter is less likely to hit it squarely. When throwing the ball, the eyes need to be looking directly at the intended target. Could a pitcher throw a strike if he was looking at third base? Could an outfielder catch a fly ball if he was watching his feet? In the same way, if we are to be successful in our Christian lives, our eyes need to be locked onto Jesus and the cross. How can we do the will of God if our focus is on the worldly things that surround us instead of the one who created us?

The Purist

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Colossians 2:16

 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11

As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. Romans 14:14

 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31-32

• Many of the arguments and disagreements among Christians comes not from doctrinal differences but rather from self-imposed rules the get extended to absolutes for all believers. It is possible for fellow brothers in Christ to take opposing sides on whether it is okay for Christians to work on Sunday, attend "R" rated movies, smoke, or use questionable language. What truly matters is not that we have a set of rules we live by that is more correct than someone else’s rules, but that we belong body and soul to Jesus Christ. Many of the debates among baseball fans are whether the game should use the DH, use metal or wood bats, have interleague games, or allow a wildcard team in the playoffs. To a true baseball fan, the thing that matters most is not to belittle a fellow fan for his view on the DH, but to enjoy the camaraderie of having a common passion for our national pastime. As long as it can still be called baseball, the debatable matters can go either way. In the same way, as long as it is Christ we are following in our hearts, we should treat each other with brotherly love and encourage one another with the attitude of Christ.

Arguing

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor?  James 4:11-12

• Just because you throw the ball over the plate does not mean it’s a strike - the batter will say it’s not. It’s only a strike if the umpire says it’s a strike. If there is a close play at first base and you disagree with the call, the way you see things will not matter. The decision of the umpire is final. A pop-up that lands in the dugout cannot be a fair ball. A ball that bounces three times before being handled cannot be ruled a catch. A batter may not take first base after only one ball. There are rules in baseball that need to be followed. A batter cannot say "My flyout to left went farther than his bunt single, therefore I should get a double." In life there are absolute truths as well. Right and wrong are not dependent on an individual’s whim or rationalization. God gave us the rules in the Bible.

Heckling

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:27-30

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

• It must take tremendous focus and concentration for a ballplayer to perform well before a crowd of fifty thousand screaming fans. To be successful a team needs all nine players to be studying every pitch and every situation. Distractions from the fans must be tuned out for a fielder to play well and win. In our Christian lives, we face distractions and discouragement all around us. The closer we are to God and the more effective we are at living like Christ, the harder our enemy tries to unseat our focus from our calling. Temptations and difficulties surround us like hecklers in the bleachers. We must fix our eyes on the love of God and His grace if we want to be faithful in our relationship with Him.

Stats

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30

your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12

• Almost everything in baseball can be quantified. Baseball is a game of numbers. Every at-bat, every pitch, every result is tallied on a scorecard and preserved for history. Past performances can be recalled and summed up by a simple collection of numbers. Achievement and rewards can be measured by a comparison to standards of excellence. At the end of a ballplayer’s career, his stats, good and bad, are weighed by what is considered par according to baseball fans. When we stand before God at the end of our lives, we will see that God has been keeping an accurate account of every deed we have done in our lives, good and bad. God will judge our deeds according to His standards. We are saved by grace alone but we will be rewarded according to our deeds.