“RPG” stands for Role-Playing Game. In these sorts of games, everything tends to work on a points or merit-based system. Think of games like the Assassin’s Creed or the Far Cry series, you’ll get the idea.
In most RPGs, you start at Level 1. The enemies you face are also matched to your level. But as you progress, gaining stronger abilities, earning XP, and completing side missions, you grow stronger. Eventually, Level 10 enemies are no longer a problem because you’re now a Level 50 character!
When I think about my own Christian walk, I realize I’ve been walking with the Lord for nearly a decade now, with plenty of ups and downs along the way. And I can’t help but wonder if I’ve been losing the game with the Lord.
This is because sometimes I find myself losing to a Level 2 or Level 3 enemy, despite beating them many times in the past.
Take anger, for instance. I thought I conquered that years ago. Yet on a random Tuesday, I find myself falling into the very sin I’ve already overcome many times in my walk with Jesus.
Then there’s lust. That one feels like a major boss fight, a battle I’m always training my spiritual muscles for and still learning how to defeat. Sometimes it feels like a level that’s impossible to beat.
And every time I lose to a Level 2 enemy as a Level 50 player, the natural thought is this:
“I must be back at Level 1 again.”
It feels like I’ve lost all my progress with Jesus—
all the side missions,
all the spiritual weapons,
all the character development.
Gone, just because I lost to a tiny enemy I’ve beaten countless times before.
But the reality is that most RPGs don’t work that way.
When you die in a game, you usually respawn right before the moment you lost. Your progress isn’t erased. You get another chance. Sometimes you even come back stronger because now you know how to handle the enemy better.
The Christian walk works in a similar way.
When Jesus talks about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–22, the number seven often represents completeness or fullness. So when Jesus tells Peter to forgive “seventy times seven,” He isn’t giving a literal number to keep track of. Instead, He’s teaching that forgiveness should be unlimited.
When you fall, Jesus offers us all a complete reset. He forgives all our sins. And as long as you repent, ask for forgiveness, and try again, you pick up right where you left off with Him.
You don’t restart the game.
You don’t lose all your progress.
You don’t forget everything you’ve spent years learning.
You may fall into sin, even sins you thought you defeated years ago, but Jesus is the weapon that helps you overcome those battles.
This truth removes so much burden from your shoulders.
In fact, the weapon you need to defeat even a Level 100 boss is already available to you from the very start of the game. Jesus is constantly reaching out His hand so you can hand the battle over to Him.
So the next time you’re heading into a boss fight, remember to equip the Armor of God.
And don’t forget your in-game companion: the Holy Spirit.
The game has already been won. It’s not supposed to be a difficult journey. We just tend to make it harder by overthinking.
You simply need to trust the One who has already taken care of everything.
Jesus loves you!
