Convicted…

Convicted…9-1-25

John Wooden was a gifted basketball player, but was more infamously known for being a coach. He won 10 NCAA Championships in a 12 year period. He was dubbed the “Coach of Westwood. More impressively, his team won 88 consecutive games. Wooden was known for his inspirational quotes to players. His “Seven Point Creed” was given to Wooden by his father at the completion of his grammar school years. These included

1. Be true to yourself.

2. Make each day your masterpiece.

3. Help others.

4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

5. Make friendship a fine art.

6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.

7. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day. (https://pin.it/1wa2XqGcX)

   
   

John Wooden died at the age of 99.

Our Sunday School lesson included discussion on living as a Christian. We are set apart. We are a peculiar people in that we are not like others. Others should look at us and see that we love Christ. We should be different.

We studied 1 Peter 2. Among the verses was 11-12 “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” One of the gentleman said that he had heard a quote and wasn’t sure where. This gentleman said he wanted this to be true for him. His words were this, “I want to live such that if I were on trial for being a Christian, there would be enough evidence to convict me.”

That was one of John Wooden’s inspirational quotes. “If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.” I have thought about this. How do others see me? How will I be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement? Will there be evidence against me here on Earth and for me on that day? Did I conform to the world or stand against the wrong? More importantly than all, what will my Lord say to me on that day.

Revelations 20:11-12, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” Our pastor preached on this very scripture not too long ago. It is something I have thought about a lot. What will The Book say about me?