Guest Contribution by David Crews

While I enjoyed watching golf recently, I considered the following question: How many Christians have won not just a “Major tournament” but have completed a “career Grand Slam?” This may sound like an odd question, but let me explain the context.

Just days ago, golfer Rory McIlroy won the Masters, achieving what the golf world calls the career Grand Slam. This means McIlroy has played at the four major golf tournaments and has won each of them at least once. Only he and five other golfers in the history of the PGA have reached this distinguished level of excellence, completing the Grand Slam during their career.

John 15:16 says, …but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:…

Here, the Word of God speaks about the need for Christians to bear fruit. In fact, the Bible speaks not only of having fruit, being victorious in the Christian life and seeing people get saved, but also of having fruit that remains. Every time a soul is won to Christ, that is certainly a major win. Yet, much work, love, and prayer go into seeing the newly saved complete each step of growth in the Christian life. How many who put their faith in Christ as their Saviour receive follow-up help from other seasoned Christians? How many are brought to church if needed? Are they encouraged to get baptized and to join the church? Are they taught the Word of God and trained to become soulwinners? While we praise God when fruit is seen in the victorious Christian life, there is a special command given in Scripture to the believer to follow through with Christ’s Great Commission to its fullest extent in the life of a convert. This is God’s desire. This is having fruit that remains; it is reaching another level of excellence that only certain Christians have obtained in their “career.”

Some have literally seen dozens, hundreds, or even thousands saved. We certainly thank God for each soul that has passed from death unto life. However, we should not forget that having fruit that remains should be the goal of every believer. Obeying the entire Great Commission and seeing it completed in the lives of individuals is Christ’s command.

Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and now Rory McIlroy are the only golfers who won every Major, achieving the career Grand Slam. All these men honed their skills by practicing and working toward the day when they completed golf’s highest designation. May we all put our emphasis and focus on the work, prayer, and love required of us, not only to win some majors but also to see the career Grand Slam of Christianity completed.

By God’s grace, may we see it completed repeatedly in the lives of as many as we can reach.