By Eugene Ashby
Local Columnist
Recently on television I watched a program on the life of Pete Sampras, one of the greatest tennis players of all time and one who, to this day, is greatly admired because he was such a good role model for the sport of tennis. The TV program took one through his many tennis achievements including eight Wimbledon titles and many other grand slam titles during his story-book career. One time, in particular, during the end of a long match, he had leg cramps so bad that he collapsed on the tennis court grimacing in pain; however, no one was allowed to help him get up. It was a very emotional time as he arose over and over again to continue and then finally win the match. It was one of the bravest efforts ever witnessed in any sport.
Although this was Pete’s finest moment, I am sure that Pete had done some things in his life that he was not proud of, but these events were not shown on television. The bad stuff was deleted from his life; only the good stuff was shown. This TV program showed Pete Sampras at his best and it gave him great joy that his life was displayed for all to see in such a positive fashion.
In my wildest imagination on the day of judgement, I could envision all committed Christians who were followers of Jesus Christ could have their whole life shown to the world on a world-wide television screen just as imagined for Pete Sampras. But like the case of Pete Sampras, only the good stuff would be shown because the bad stuff was washed away by the blood of Jesus. God, and everyone watching would be able to see a life devoted to loving and trusting God and the fruit of that relationship being demonstrated by the love and kindness given freely to all of God’s children during their times of greatest need.
Only the good stuff would be shown on the TV screen and all Christians would be greatly moved because they had forgotten many of the good deeds they had done over a lifetime. Every Christian would be humbled to tears to see that God only showed the good stuff. What an amazing role model Jesus, the Son of God, has been to show us only at our best.
If we are to be like Him, when we review the lives of others, we are to review only the good stuff and leave out the bad stuff as a result of the grace that Jesus has deposited deep in our hearts.
Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone that does not love his brother (John 3:10).
