If you’re coaching a player whose pitching mechanics are bound to hurt his arm, would you say something, or just let him hurt himself?

If you have a teammate who is failing a class because he just won’t show up, would you say something, or just let him be ineligible?

Any coach who cares would do all he can to prevent that player’s injury.

Any teammate who cares would try to help in some way.

We would likely jump in quickly to help guys regarding the game, but would we say something about what is far more important?

Proverbs 24:11-12–“Deliver those who are being taken away to death. And those who are staggering to slaughter, o hold them back. If you say, ‘See, we did not know this,’ does he not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does he not know it who keeps your soul? And will he not render to man according to his work?”

We wouldn’t let a guy hurt his arm without trying to change his mechanics, but would we let him face God’s judgment without trying to change his soul?

We wouldn’t let a teammate be ineligible without trying to help him pass the class, but do we care if he stands before God with a failing grade?

Given the truth of these verses, our “live and let live…who am I to say anything?” mentality isn’t noble; it’s careless and unloving. Those of us who have experienced the saving grace of Jesus are called to do all we can to alert and rescue those who are far from him.

As the verse says, we cannot say we didn’t know, but must instead find ways to discuss spiritual matters with those God has put around us. It’s not about judgment–only God is qualified for that. But, it’s about recognizing that apart from Jesus our players and coaches are bound for an eternity in hell. Plain and simple.

Do we care enough to show them the path of deliverance (faith in Jesus) and hold them back from slaughter?

What if we cared as much about souls as we do pitching mechanics?

Lord Jesus, give me a heart for people who need you and don’t even know it. Amen.