OLYMPIC DISQUALIFICATION

February 22, 2006

Did you know that there's something that disqualifies us from God's race?

THINK ABOUT IT

Bode Miller straddles a gate while competing in the slalom.

Bode Miller straddles a gate while competing in the slalom section of the Olympic men's combined alpine skiing event, Feb. 14, 2006. Getty Images

Bode Miller Disqualified

February 14, 2006 2:00 p.m. EST

Ayinde O. Chase - All Headline News Staff Writer

Turin, Italy (AHN) - American Bode Miller's hopes for a gold medal in the Alpine combined were eliminated after officials disqualified him for straddling a gate in the first slalom run.

Miller, who has seen his name in the media often for callous remarks, and admitting to drinking before his first event is now disqualified.

This marks the fifth straight disqualification, for Miller in a slalom race. His leaving the course now gives the lead position to Austrian Benjamin Raich, who had been behind Miller by nearly a second.

photo & story courtesy AP & allheadlinenews.com, 02/15/06

TAKE A LOOK

Genesis 3:4-6 - (NLT)

⁴"You won't die!" the serpent hissed. ⁵"God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil." ⁶The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too.

Isaiah 59:2 - (NLT)

²But there is a problem--your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

Romans 3:10-12 - (NLT)

¹⁰As the Scriptures say,
      "No one is good--
            not even one.
      ¹¹No one has real understanding;
            no one is seeking God.
      ¹²All have turned away from God;
            all have gone wrong.
      No one does good,
            not even one."

Romans 3:23 - (NLT)

²³For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Romans 6:23 - (NLT)

²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today's passages are all about a person being disqualified from being in right relationship with God.

DOES IS SEEM FAIR FOR GOD TO "DISQUALIFY" PEOPLE FROM ENTERING HIS RACE BECAUSE OF THEIR SIN? WHY OR WHY NOT?

Look at today's passages again and try answering these questions about sin:

Romans 3:10-12: WHAT IS SIN?

Genesis 3:4-6: HOW DID SIN START?

Romans 3:23: WHO HAS SINNED?

Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23: WHAT IS THE RESULT OF SIN?

Each of us were born as being disqualified from God. Our choice of disobedience takes us in the opposite direction that God wants us to run. The result is eternal disqualification. BUT, Jesus Christ alone is someone who can get us into God's race!

ANSWERS: disobedience to God; with Adam and Eve (but we're all the same); everyone; separation from God in this life and in the life after death

TALK ABOUT IT

Thank God for giving us His Word to explain to us His Truth. Even if you're already a Christian, ask God to help you understand the seriousness of sin in your life and in the lives of millions of young people like yourself. BUT, thank Him for His unconditional love which has provided forgiveness through His son, Jesus Christ! Pray that God will use the Truth about Himself to keep you running to Him!

TRY IT

Memorize the verse(s) that impacted you the most today.
Complete this statement: "When I think about my sin, I .............". Reflect on your answer with God this week.
Pray for a friend or family member who needs to understand how sin disqualifies them from having a personal relationship with God.
If you watch Olympic slalom skiing, remember to look for those who straddle the gates, as a reminder to not straddle in your obedience to God.

ABOUT IT

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron Emmert Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.