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The games of baseball and softball have many correlations with the Christian life.

In fact, we find in Colossians 3:15 one of three times in the Greek text where the word “umpire” is used.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” The word “rule” is translated from the Greek word “brabeuo” which means to arbitrate, or to umpire. Here in Colossians, it is used of the “peace of God.” A variation of this word, “brabeion,” is used two times in the Bible in reference to athletic games.

God acts as an arbitrator, or an umpire in our lives when He guides us by His peace.

Being an umpire for many years, these passages speak volumes to me about the gospel message itself.

Before each contest there is what we call a “pregame meeting” between the head coaches and the umpires. We have all seen it at a game.

In these meetings there are qualifying questions that must be answered for the players to participate. These questions correlate with the same biblical

criteria that we must answer before we can participate in the Christian life. Here is the typical meeting at the pregame.

1. Coaches, are all your players legal and all equipment legal according to the rules governing this contest?

Without an affirmative YES, the game cannot begin!

To be a follower of Christ, these same questions must be answered and confirmed.

Are you legal? In biblical terms the question would be “Are you justified?” Have you been made legal? The bible clearly teaches that we cannot be legal by keeping the law. None of us are legal in and of ourselves.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:10-12 “There is none righteous, no, not one … there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

In God’s sight, none of us are legally fit to be His children and to participate in the Christian life!

How then do we become legal? Sin must be paid for. There must be a legal transaction where the debt is paid and the illegal person is granted forgiveness and the judge declares him “NOT GUILTY.” When this is done, he is now legal.

Romans 3:21-26 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

Justified is a term used in a court of law. It means to be rendered innocent. Made legal!

Just as a player must be legal to participate in a baseball or softball game, so a person must be made legally righteous in God’s sight to walk with God, to follow Jesus.

Have you come before the Judge in repentance and asked Him to grant you forgiveness through the redemption found in Christ? Jesus is the only one through whom we can be justified. He paid the price with His blood that we might be justified, made legal.

2. The second part of the question at the pregame meeting is “are your players properly equipped?”

To be legal is the first step. The second step is to be properly equipped. This is the only way the game can be played. Are you properly equipped. Is your uniform proper? Are your bats legal? Are the gloves legal?

To be in the game is one thing, to remain in the game is another.

In the Christian life we can be born again, justified, made legal through the blood of Christ, yet in our walk with Christ we can be “sidelined” by the sin that so easily besets us. It is the Divine Umpire of our souls who uses the rule book of life, the Holy Scriptures, to correct us and to hold us accountable to the standards He has placed upon His children. We need to listen to this Arbiter. We need this Umpire!

The next verse, Colossians 3:16, says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” This is the rulebook. This is where the instructions are for the Christian life! This is what the Divine Umpire uses to arbitrate, to umpire our lives so we can stay in the game and enjoy God’s peace in our lives.

How do we respond?

Do we act as some coaches and players do? Do we yell at this Umpire like some parents do? Or do we comply with the rulings, His Word, which He perfectly applies to us?

We all need an Arbiter. The Holy Spirit will “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

Is the “peace of God” ruling (arbitrating / umpiring) in your hearts? Who is umpiring your life?

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