How to Compete

By Jesse LeMay

                Every Olympic event has specific rules by which the athletes are required to adhere to while competing. There are all sorts of regulations, ranging from the type of equipment used, personal conduct, to the use of performance enhancing drugs. If a competitor violates one of those rules they can be disqualified from an event, stripped of any medals won, and even barred from future competition. Winning the gold and wearing the proverbial “crown” as champion of their sport is the goal of every Olympic athlete; however, they must compete according to the rules.

            As Christians, each one of us is also required to adhere to certain stipulations if we want that ultimate prize. Several times in Scripture the Apostle Paul relates Christianity with an athletic competition. Two of his statements coincide with the requirements and discipline of the Olympic athlete. He said, “if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim. 2:5). Regardless of talent and performance, there is no prize rewarded without adhering to the guidelines. In his first letter to the church in Corinth, he said, “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (9:25).

            Those athletes Paul had in mind, and the Olympians of today competed and still do, in order to win their respective prize. Despite the joy and feeling of accomplishment that a gold medal or victory wreath can bring, they do not come close to that “imperishable” prize awarded to the Christian. Paul said that’s why he endured “all things,” meaning discipline and adherence to the rules, in order to “obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10). Earthly awards are temporary, but God’s gift of eternal life will never fade. Not only did Paul “endure all things” for his own gain, but also “for the sake of those who are chosen.” Just like athletes, we as Christians need to have “self-discipline” with regard to the way we live our lives. In addition, we must strive not to violate the rules, which are the commandments of God. As a result, the prize that awaits us is greater than we can even imagine. Let us all compete in a worthy manner!

Freedom

By Jesse LeMay

            February 11^th marks twenty-eight years since Nelson Mandela was freed from prison in Cape Town, South Africa. The civil rights icon had spent nearly three decades behind bars after being sentenced to life in 1964 along with other African National Congress members. Most of his time was served in the horrendous Robben Island prison, which has been called South Africa’s Alcatraz. Freedom was granted early in 1990, when newly elected President F.W. de Klerk, who vowed to end apartheid, lifted the ban on the ANC, and ordered the release of its symbolic leader.

            After gaining his freedom, Mandela made his way to City Hall, where over 100,000 South Africans were gathered to hear him speak. Addressing the large crowd, many of whom had never heard Mandela speak before, his first words were: "Comrades and fellow South Africans, I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom, I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you the people…” He would go on to say that “We have waited too long for our freedom” (npr.org). Four tough years later Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president in their first free election. He would serve his country and countrymen as President and after by continuing to advocate for social freedom and peace between all races.

            In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul spoke about the freedom that the Christian has been given from sin (6:7, 18, 22). Instead of imprisonment, he says that before receiving this freedom, we are “slaves” of sin (6:6, 17). This freedom is given and obtained when we die to sin through baptism and obey the teaching of the gospel (6:4, 17). What are we to do with this freedom? Just as Mandela saw his liberation as an opportunity to serve and give back, so too should we. Paul urged those who had been set free to become “instruments of righteousness” (6:13). Mandela said, “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” May all of us who have been set free from sin serve willingly, and advocate to bring about the freedom of as many people as we can, establishing peace between them and God.

Super Sunday

By Jesse LeMay

            An estimated 110 million people will watch this year’s Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. While that number has declined some over the last few years, it is still an enormous audience and will be the largest viewed television program of the year. Companies will pay $5 million for a thirty second advertisement. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend an estimated $15.5 billion on items related to the big game. Hype surrounding the game grows day by day for the two weeks leading up to the event. Many conversations are centered around who will win, what the score will be, etc. There is no way to deny the impact and the level of commitment people have towards this football game played on “Super Sunday.” For whatever reason, it is important to people and fans all over the world.

            What if there was the same kind of devotion showed to the event that happened on the “Super Sunday” nearly 2,000 years ago? The word “fan” comes from fanatic. As has been shown, men and women alike certainly have a fanatical attitude and dedication towards the Super Bowl. Think about the impact that could be made on the world if that same fanaticism, along with the amount of time and money spent, was put towards worshipping and serving our Lord who rose from the dead on that Sunday. People plan to host or attend a party for the big game weeks in advance. Is Sunday, the Lord’s day, the most important day of the week for us? Imagine what might happen if we talked to our friends and co-workers about Jesus the way we do about certain sporting events.

            There is nothing more important than praising, remembering, and worshipping our Savior with other dedicated followers. Are we “fans” of Jesus, who express our passion to others and show our dedication in our commitment to His day, and how we live our lives? Scripture tells us to be mindful of “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). As Christians, every first day of the week should be “Super Sunday.”