Running the race
7 March 08
Sitting preparing for writing this week’s blog entry, I’ve been thinking about ways we can live out our faith. What does it mean to be a Christian, in real life, here, today, at work, in whatever task I’m doing right now? What does it mean for me to be glorifying Jesus as I write this blog?
Well, there are two verses I usually turn to when I’m thinking about this. One is from the Old Testament, from the book of Micah, which talks about the judgment coming on Israel from their wrong attitude towards God. Through Micah, God challenges his people on the ‘religious’ or ‘good’ things that they do without being motivated by a real love for him. This is real love, says Micah: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
The other verse is from the book of James in the New Testament – a practical and hugely challenging book on what faith looks like when it’s lived out. James says, “You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?...As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:20 and 26)
Now, that’s not to say that faith is all about action; but what we do is a reflection of what we are, and if we’re filled with love for God then it will show in our lives. I know that Jesus has saved me, and I know that he’s challenged me to take up my cross and die to myself, and I know that I’m part of a global family whose members are dying, literally, physically, right now. So how does this show in my life?
Well, here’s a challenge for me and for anyone else who’s considering these questions. Darren, one of our lovely undergrounders, is running the London marathon for Open Doors. He’s hoping to raise a massive £1000 to help the Persecuted Church. And from what I know of running 26.2 miles (which I have to say isn’t a great deal), Darren’s going to be one step closer to understanding about pain, sleep deprivation, dehydration and forced labour!
If you want to sponsor Darren, click here and dig deep. We can’t all run a marathon, but we can all run the race of living for God and supporting our brothers and sisters in doing so. And that means that I’m off to click that link right now and put my money where my blog is! All the best, Darren, and thanks for doing this.