Heart of a Champion: An Athlete’s Identity in GodSample

### Redeeming Work We often hear the word “redeem” and we think of a coupon or maybe even a refund or reimbursement. Athletes often refer to redemption as a point in the game when a player brings the team back from losing. But when it comes to our souls being redeemed, there is more to it. When Christ redeemed us, He also justified us (declaring us both not guilty and righteous). He didn’t die just to “even the playing field.” His work on the cross did much more than wipe away our sins; He went beyond that by then pouring His righteousness into us. Think of His redemptive power and justification like a bank account. You and I were in deficit. Our souls were in the red by millions of dollars—spiritually bankrupt! When Christ saved us, He did indeed eliminate all our transgressions, getting us “out of the red.” But, wouldn’t it still leave us with a balance of zero? That’s no good. How often we forget that Jesus additionally pours His own pure and holy character into us, essentially making us rich in righteousness. What Christ did makes our soul’s bank account millions of dollars in the black! Much like the image of the broken plate in today’s film, we are not just glued back together. We are restored—redeemed for God’s use. We are filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit, so it’s as if our brokenness, our bankruptcy never happened. We are a completely new creation in Him. When we understand this truth of Christ’s riches in us, then our failures, shortcomings, and brokenness can no longer keep us from becoming winners. Christ has already won the race and redeemed us.