THE KINGDOM ~ Is like a Super Bowl Election-!

(Thoughts from my New Man)-!

“And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

(Matt. 13:10)

Jesus answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt. 13:11-16). Jesus spoke in parables to reveal the Truth of God to those who wanted to know and to conceal the truth from those who were indifferent. A parable is a simple story that provides a more profound heavenly teaching. It compares a familiar idea with spiritual truths to help people better understand the unfamiliar idea. The following parable is presented to help us understand the current political divisions in the United States and many countries in the context of our shared faith and beliefs. This parable is not just a story but a key to understanding and addressing the issues we face today. Biblical parables are mystery stories that contain the Truth. Let’s come together as a community, united in our faith in Christ, and interpret the meaning of this Mystery.

The Football Game Parable (Blue Team against Red Team)-!

“Every Kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matt. 12:25)

The Kingdom of God is like a Super Bowl football game in which two (2) religious teams are viciously fighting against each other to win the championship prize (Heaven). Blue team members consist of evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics. Red team members consist of liberal Protestants, liberal Catholics, and some secular agnostics and atheists. Before the big game, both head coaches, representing the two political parties, huddle their separate teams together as one and pray similar prayers: “God, we thank You that we are not like the other team—extortioners, unjust, and adulterers” (Lk. 18:11). We pray that you would bless our team with victory in Heaven and curse the other team to hell (Gen. 12:3). The Blue Team then proudly shouted - “All praise to our head coach Paul who we follow.” The Red Team simultaneously proudly shouts - “All praise to our head coach James, who we follow” (1 Cor. 3:4-9).

The game starts, and it is understood that the Blue Team’s football philosophy is to fundamentally follow their Playbook to the “Letter of the law,” believing in its infallibility. But some put their money and their country before this book. The Red Team interprets their Playbook by the “Spirit of the Law” (2 Cor. 3:6). However, they tend to overemphasize the importance of reason and experience over the authority of their Playbook by considering modern knowledge, science, and ethics. Consequently, the Blue Team focuses their football training on preparing the Mind and having the “Faith” to score by saving the soul first. Meanwhile, the Red Team focuses their training on doing “Good Works” to score. Critics of the Blue Team say that their strategy for winning is so Heavenly minded that it is no Earthly Good. Critics of the Red Team say that their strategy for winning is so Earthly-minded that it is no Heavenly Good.

As the Championship game climaxes, both teams are tied at 7 to 7. Suddenly, a rushing wind hits them as a massive twister hurricane tragically strikes, and everyone on the football field and in the stadium is struck dead. Both teams, including the coaches and the fans, are now standing before the judgment throne of God. When they look up, they see the most beautiful light they have ever seen. They then fall to the ground and hear a voice saying their name, “Why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” They asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:4-6). Then they heard another voice from Heaven say: “Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to Heaven, and God has remembered her crimes” (Rev. 18:4-5). This dramatic turn of events is a powerful reminder of the consequences of our actions. It also reminds us of the importance of love and forgiveness in resolving and overcoming our divisions. Love and forgiveness are the keys to entering the Kingdom of God, and they bind us together as Christians. This can unite us as Christians in our journey toward the Kingdom of God, a journey we all share regardless of our past divisions.

At that time, they WAKE UP back in the stadium and remember the Words of God that were spoken to them: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Rom. 16:17); “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor. 1:10); “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 Jn. 4:20). If you do not love and forgive your brother and sister, your sins will not be forgiven: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 16:14-15). This is a powerful reminder of the weight of our actions and the power of redemption through forgiveness. Forgiveness and love are the keys to entering the Kingdom of God, and they bind us together as Christians. Let us remember this as we strive for unity in our faith and relationships, and let it inspire us to seek love and reconciliation in all our interactions, filling us with hope and inspiration.

Interpretation:

The Kingdom of God is like a Super Bowl Football Game or a Presidential Election. The Blue Team is the Republican Party, and the Red Team is the Democratic Party. The two head coaches are the two presidential candidates. The football Playbook is the Bible. The two basic Football Philosophies are: 1). Blue Team (Apostle Paul) - Faith saves us; and 2). Red Team (Apostle James) - Our salvation is justified to others by our good works. True faith in Christ’s work on the cross brings us salvation. Active obedience to good deeds demonstrates that our faith is truly genuine. Both philosophies are partially biblically correct in God’s Eyes, but they must come together to be ONE.

In the Kingdom of God, there is no room for ‘Christian Nationalism.’ This term refers to the belief that the state should be empowered through ‘morals legislation’ to regulate conduct, which always carries the risk of creating governing powers that could be used later against other Christians who don’t fit into this moral majority. God’s salvation works only in individual hearts and minds. There are only individual “person” names written in the Book of Life: “Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). There are no names of countries, cultures, religions, or denominations in the Book of Life. God does not bless you just because you live in a particular country. God has blessed every NEW MAN wherever they live on Earth: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). The NEW MAN, the Body of Christ, lives in every country, province, tribe, and island on Earth, including every —realm in the Multiverse.

The story’s moral is that Christians should not be divided over anything, including politics. When we persecute and attack other Christians, we are persecuting Jesus and attacking the body of Christ. This grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). When we divide over political issues, we fight God, who intended us to be ONE! The Kingdom of God is like a football game. Jesus said that when he returns, he will put the Sheep on his right and the goats on his left (Matt. 25:31-46). But, in this life’s football game, it doesn’t matter if you play for the Red or Blue Team or are on the Right or Left Side. The NEW MAN is ONE in-Christ Jesus. Only those forgiven by Christ who learn to forgive and demonstrate their love to others will enter the Kingdom. This underscores the importance of forgiveness and love in our unity and reconciliation, inspiring us to embody these virtues. Let us remember that our divisions grieve the Holy Spirit, and we must strive for unity in Christ, which is crucial for harmony and cooperation within the Christian community. After every big game, the winners shake hands with the losers and say Good Game-! The biggest eternal Election is in your Heart. I pray that you have already voted for Jesus as King-! So, let us all listen and understand this message and strive for healing and unity in-Christ and in our country. Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them Hear” (Mk. 4:9).