The lanky young man approached the bar, running at an angle. Deftly maneuvering his body, he jumped, back facing the bar, and sailed over it, his legs lifting up at the last moment to successfully complete the high jump. The crowd roared its approval. Dan Fosbury won Olympic Gold, set a world record, and revolutionized the sport of the high jump.
Today, we take it for granted, but for generations of high jumpers, the usual approach was to approach the bar from the front. Over fifty years ago, everything changed. It was the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico City. Fosbury was an engineering student, and he applied his knowledge of the field to the mechanics of the human body, correctly reasoning that his approach would be superior to previous methods.
An innovator is someone who introduces a new product or idea. Like Fosbury, their innovations may literally change the world. What about our spiritual lives? For many religions, the path to salvation is based on one’s works. If one lives a good and moral life, the expectation is one will go to heaven. This sounds like a good plan, and why not? It is a plan that man created. Only in Christianity is the pathway to salvation different. God knows that no amount of good works will ever be enough to allow a person to enter heaven. So, what is His plan?
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
For thousands of years, man has been trying to get to heaven by his own efforts. Innovation in life occurs through the creative efforts of many talented individuals. God created innovation. Is it any surprise that He gives us a path to salvation that is unlike any other religion? God sent His only Son to be born on earth as a human. He lived a sinless life and died on the Cross, taking the penalty of our sins upon His broken body. Three days later, He was raised from the dead, abolishing the penalty of death for our sins. God gave us the most innovative and outlandish plan for salvation. Only by confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior will we gain salvation and eternal life.
God is the source of all innovation.
Praise God for His grace and mercy through faith and belief in Jesus Christ.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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