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The Human Race

Pastor's Piece

by Pastor George C. Porter

Today I write this short article as Athens is gearing up for the opening of the Para Olympics. It is a wonderful event in which disabled people defy the odds and compete for gold.  These are people who have not allowed their unfortunate past to stop them from achieving in their particular field of skill.  They are people with positive attitudes who have been  trained by capable coaches. Atheletes who have persevered with exercise and training.   Capable people who have gold as their goal.  People who are determined to enjoy life to the fullest of their ability inspite of what life has dished up for them. People who can perform with amazing tenacity.

This  reminds me of us all.  We  are all athletes in the Human Race Olympics.  Since the fall of our first parents Adam and Eve, we are all spiritually disabled athletes.  We are all Para Olympians in the human race for life and salvation. Since Adam sold us into sin we have been disabled with inherited tendencies to sin. That dished out to us suffering and death. We are so disabled with evil, it inhabits our very genes.  We all, as disabled competitors in the human race for life, need the best coach to develop our competitive skills if we are going to succeed as honourable citizens in our society.  We need to achieve goodness, honesty and courtesy as we compete in life together.

This reminds me that Holy Scripture mentions the Olympic Games as it was in the time of the Apostles.  Paul, who, I believe, authored the New Testament book of Hebrews, makes specific mention of the event.   It is in this Bible reference where we discover the only Coach who can make us competitive in the human race for life.  Hebrews 12:1-2 states, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.  And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us."    We, the spiritually disabled human race, have been given a life to live by God.  In verse 2, it tells us the only way we can win gold and be what God wants us to be.  "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish."  The race for salvation life, is a race of faith in Jesus Christ our Coach.  He guarantees our winning gold. That is eternal life with Him in spite of our spiritual disabilities.

Our Christian Coach via Paul, encourages us disabled mortals, with these words, "Take a new  grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. ....then those who follow, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong." verses 12-13.  Again,    "Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favour of God." verses 14-15.  We are all a spiritually feeble lot.  However, the Good News is that we will win Gold through Christ if we persevere in our weakness.   That is because Christ empowers us to do good.   We will all win the Christian Para Olympics if faithful.   Keep training.  Keep your Coach.

 
This article is Copyright © 2004 by George Porter.  Used by permission.  

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