UNPACK This...The Greatness of God's GraceSýnishorn

The Lakers Hire J.J. Redick

In June 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers hired 39-year-old J.J. Redick as the franchise's new head coach.

With the Lakers' head coaching gig being one of the most coveted jobs in professional sports, it was somewhat shocking that they'd hire a recently retired former player with no high-level coaching experience.

But, whether or not Redick was genuinely qualified to be the coach of the Lakers, he became qualified the moment the organization deemed him so.

As followers of Jesus, none of us are qualified to be part of God's "team" according to our merit. We've fallen short of His standard and are unqualified to serve under His authority based on our performance.

But the gospel brings us good news! Although we've been disqualified from being part of God's "team" for our sins, God Himself has qualified us through Christ's finished work on our behalf.

Colossians 1:12-14 says, "Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

God has qualified us by grace, expecting we'll produce fruit as a byproduct of His qualification.

As we focus on God's grace and meditate on not earning our qualification, we can "perform" at a high level for God.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Today, let's thank God He qualifies us to be part of His "team." As we recognize His grace, let's be motivated to bring Him glory through our service.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace You give me. I don't deserve to be part of Your eternal family, but You've qualified me through Jesus. Help me to live in light of the grace You've shown me, producing much fruit that brings You glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.