God's Design
Relationship
The book, The Mulligan, was written in such way to present these basic truths through a story. The book is story about relationships. Relationships between man and man between God and man. As the old Pro says, “Life is all about relationships”--nothing could be more true. God is in the restoration business. He seeks to restore a relationship with his creation , one person at a time. That's why he created earth and has been involved in the lives of millions upon millions of people down through the centuries. He seeks and initiates a companionship with his creation.
The Bible says in John 3:16 , “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” By faith we simply receive this gift. When you make your move towards this loving God and desire to play His course--the course less played--you are entering into the greatest opportunity of your life. You are offered the opportunity of a vivid companionship with God in which you will learn to be like Him and live in the way that He designed you to live.
Like any relationship it all starts with a conversation. Relationships are built one conversation at a time. Therefore the first step for you is to communicate to God in your mind simply talking and asking Him to show you the truth and to guide you through these steps. The Bible calls this prayer. Just always keep in mind that He is 100% for you and He will never turn his back on you. His eyes of love are ever present and His arms are always open to a hug.
God created human beings in His image to enjoy walking with Him as a friend and companion. His desire was for each of us to live in grateful response to His love and to love others. He did not create us as robots but, in His love, gave us a free choice to walk with Him, playing His course, by His rules. Our option was to choose His way or live self-centered lives, which the Bible calls sin.
The Bible also tells us that we will face God one day and give an account for our lives. In order to receive the gift of eternal life, we must present to Him a sinless life—the equivalent of a perfect scorecard in golf, without a single bad hole. Of course, we can’t do that. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s required standard (Romans 3:23).
Because of our sin, it is impossible for us to live the perfect life or turn in a perfect scorecard. Unless we receive God’s offer of the ultimate mulligan, we will be lost forever.
God's Solution
Sending His Son for You
God solved our dilemma and bridged the gap by sending His Son, Jesus, to live a perfect, sinless life for us. When He died on the cross in our place, Jesus exchanged his perfect life and scorecard for our sinful life, or imperfect card.
You can receive this gift through prayer, by personally thanking God for sending His Son to live a perfect life and dying on the cross for you. When you express to God the Father your belief in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection on your behalf, God then guarantees you eternal life, fills you with His Spirit, and makes you a new person living in a restored personal relationship with Him. As the Bible says, He canceled the record of the charges [our scorecard] against us and took our sinful card nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:14).
As a result, you no longer need to keep score. In place of your scorecard, God gives you Jesus to walk with you through this life as your Friend and Caddy, giving you unlimited mulligans—complete forgiveness—as you play His designed course. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Playing God's Course
The New Life
A decision to follow Jesus opens the door to a whole new life. You can now play God’s course His way, filled with freedom and purpose. Each day Jesus stands at the door of your life and knocks (Revelation 3:20). If you open the door, He promises to come in and guide your life just as a caddy guides his player. You will never be alone as Jesus walks beside you. He knows this new course laid out before you. He knows your strengths and weaknesses. You must hit the shots, but He is there to guide you in each one.
That’s the good news. Jesus offers you His love and forgiveness—second chances all day long. He promises that as you walk with Him, you will experience life to the fullest. As He said about His followers, “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
Your Personal Response
Receiving the Ultimate Mulligan
When you receive God’s ultimate mulligan of eternal life and a daily walk with Jesus, you can live with freedom and purpose, modeling His instructions to love Him and others. He promises never to leave or forsake you. To receive that offer of love and forgiveness and begin following Jesus, you can pray a simple prayer. The exact wording doesn’t matter; what counts is the attitude of your heart and your desire to turn from a self-centered life, believe Jesus died for you, and ask Him to become your personal Lord, Savior, and Friend. A SIMPLE PRAYER “Dear God, I want to receive your ultimate mulligan. Thank You for offering me eternal life by believing in Your Son’s death on the cross for me. Thank You for forgiving all my failures and sins. Take my life and help me walk closely from now on with Jesus as my Savior and friend. Jesus, thank You for dying in my place and inviting me to follow You. Help me live out Your great commandment to love God and others. Amen.”