Friday, August 15, 2008
Olympic Christians
Like many of you, I have enjoyed the Olympic games and have marveled at the skill of athletes such as Michael Phelps.
Of course none of us are Olympic athletes, but we Christians are athletes of a different kind. We are spiritual athletes—or, if you prefer, Olympic Christians!
There are a number of places in the Bible where God’s people are spoken of in athletic terms. For instance, Hebrews 12:1 speaks of running with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Have you got your spiritual running shoes on?
The Christian life has been compared to a marathon race rather than a 100-meter sprint. The issue is not how fast we start the race (or even how many times we fall), but how we finish. With our eyes on the prize, we should dedicate ourselves to finishing strong.
I once read a book about three young preachers: Chuck Templeton, Bron Clifford and Billy Graham. Obviously we all know of Billy Graham. But years ago, Templeton and Clifford were better known preachers and had larger crowds than Graham. Many thought Clifford was the most gifted preacher of his generation.
But in only a few short years, Templeton left the ministry and later said he no longer believed the claims of Jesus. By 1954, Clifford lost his family, his ministry, his health and died as an alcoholic at the age of 35.
They did not finish the race well.
As spiritual athletes, let us dedicate ourselves to running the Christian race with perseverance. In fact, let's determine to live as Olympic Christians ... and resolve to finish strong!
Of course none of us are Olympic athletes, but we Christians are athletes of a different kind. We are spiritual athletes—or, if you prefer, Olympic Christians!
There are a number of places in the Bible where God’s people are spoken of in athletic terms. For instance, Hebrews 12:1 speaks of running with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Have you got your spiritual running shoes on?
The Christian life has been compared to a marathon race rather than a 100-meter sprint. The issue is not how fast we start the race (or even how many times we fall), but how we finish. With our eyes on the prize, we should dedicate ourselves to finishing strong.
I once read a book about three young preachers: Chuck Templeton, Bron Clifford and Billy Graham. Obviously we all know of Billy Graham. But years ago, Templeton and Clifford were better known preachers and had larger crowds than Graham. Many thought Clifford was the most gifted preacher of his generation.
But in only a few short years, Templeton left the ministry and later said he no longer believed the claims of Jesus. By 1954, Clifford lost his family, his ministry, his health and died as an alcoholic at the age of 35.
They did not finish the race well.
As spiritual athletes, let us dedicate ourselves to running the Christian race with perseverance. In fact, let's determine to live as Olympic Christians ... and resolve to finish strong!
