It is hard for sports announcers to fumble, since they no longer play the game. But, last night, Ray Lewis, the former Hall of Fame linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, and current analyst on Monday Night Football, "coughed it up" big time. Rarely do announcers have the opportunity to talk about their faith openly, in that kind of setting. Ray Lewis did last night, on "Monday Night Countdown", which is the pre-game show for Monday Night Football, which airs on ESPN. There was an emotional segment done on a little 7 year old girl, who was an incredible Baltimore Ravens fan, but died in the Newtown, Connecticut shootings at a school. As most stories like this, it was heartwarming, and "tugged" at your heart.
In the story, the family had received a very inspirational, encouraging note on an autographed picture, sent by Ray Lewis, who was playing for the Ravens at the time of the shooting and loss of this young girl. The dad read the note during the story, and then the announcer who reported the story, turned to Ray Lewis, and asked him about his motivation for writing such a note - a very personal note to the family following the tragedy. The note had talked about having trust in God, and the belief that the little girl is in Heaven; and they will see her someday.
It was when Ray Lewis was asked the question and he answered, that I believe he "fumbled" - at least as it relates to the opportunity to speak the biblical truth about God and eternal life. Just as in the note, Ray Lewis talked about how everyone is going to Heaven someday; and that is the reason we can get through tragedies like this. That was the basic message he gave - in a very passionate, heart-felt way, as only Ray Lewis can do. I respect him as a hard nosed football player; but I feel badly for him, and for many who may take his words, and believe that their eternal destiny is already secured with God in Heaven forever.
That belief is usually called "universalism" - that everyone, eventually, will make it to Heaven. That allows for the Catholic belief in a place called "purgatory", where you might wait for awhile, pay for your sins, and then make it to Heaven. But the Bible gives a very different viewpoint - and speaks the truth in love. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). There is no other way. We are all responsible to come to Jesus Christ, to confess Him as our Lord, and receive the free gift of eternal life. When it comes to children, who are young, or those who have handicaps that make it difficult to understand and express true faith, I leave that in God's merciful hands. I would not doubt if they, including this young girl in the story, were chosen by God "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1), to be one of His children. But this does not mean that everyone, regardless of their faith, or lack of it, will make it to Heaven.
Romans 10:9 - "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart, that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
It is a tragedy when anyone dies, and even more so when a 7 year old girl is struck down by a murderer. But, in the eyes of eternity, in the perspective of God, there is a greater tragedy coming: when people who thought everyone goes to Heaven will have to stand before a righteous God; and find out that it is simply not true. We only get to Heaven once we trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Ray Lewis' plan sounds good to us; but it is not God's plan - it is not true. God, in His mercy and grace, is "desiring all to come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2). This is your opportunity to embrace the truth found in Jesus, as stated in the Bible; and in this case, not to listen to a charismatic, passionate communicator - Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. Everyone fumbles; and this may have been one of his most costly ones.
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