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There is a difference in sports between being a fan and being involved in the game as a player. This week, Gary Peter’s question for us: “As a Christian, are we really in the game, emotionally involved, or are we someone who is watching from the sideline?” Ultimately, Christianity is something we ARE, not just a title we claim.

UNIQUE. That describes the life of Enoch. In the book of Hebrews, we read, 'By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'And was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God' (11:5). The backstory of Enoch is found in Genesis 5 where we see it stated twice that 'Enoch walked with God' (vv. 22, 24). So we see that Enoch 'pleased God,' and the reason he pleased God was that he 'walked with God'—for 300 years (v. 22). That's pretty amazing! It doesn't mean Enoch didn't sin. But it does mean he spent his days living godly for God's glory amid a pagan, ungodly culture. Enoch was unique because he never died but was apparently taken straight into God's presence. The only other person to have this unique blessing was Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). Both uniquely foreshadow the future rapture of true believers. Paul wrote of that day, saying, 'For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who remain alive shall be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord' (1 Thes. 4:16-17).

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