Dear Friends

As August begins, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are drawing to a close. Over three thousand volunteers, including at least one from our congregation, helped run the event. The combination of willing volunteers and dedicated sportsmen/women are a good metaphor for the Church. Indeed, in his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul used the image of sport to explain the life of faith.

Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

Paul was making three main points here:

Firstly, if we want to be true in our faith, we must exercise self-control. There will always be temptations in life: to take the easy way, to look after self before others, to leave good deeds undone, etc. But giving in to temptation is the route to failure, not success.

Secondly, being true to our faith is vital because the result of faithfulness is, quite literally eternal. In Paul’s time, athletes did not compete for a gold medal, they competed for a leafy garland placed on their head which, no doubt, wilted after a few days, yet the dedication needed to win was no different then it is today.

Thirdly, as believers we are commanded to be an example to others. Jesus said,

‘For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.’ (John 13:15)

Paul was commissioned by God to take the faith to the Gentile (non-Jewish) world. He knew that he could not just do that with words, he also needed to live what he preached, knowing a true follower of Christ seeks to put His words into action.

Of course, although Paul used the image of sport to explain the life of faith, he knew that, in faith, we are not competing with each other. Yes, we need the dedication of a top athlete to live a life of faith well, but our success does not depend on others not succeeding – we actually succeed more when we help others. As Jesus said,

‘The greatest among you will be your servant.’ (Matthew 23:11)

No matter the level of our athletic ability, we should always seek to practise our faith with the dedication of a gold medal winner, because the One we seek to please is none other than God.

‘let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith’ (Hebrews 12:1b,2a)

Many blessings,

Carl