Get Off The Grandstand
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Mark 8:34). Paul had most probably often watched the Isthmus Games in Corinth. This was the precursor to the Olympic Games. He probably also looked on as unarmed Christians fought for their lives against wild animals in the Coliseum in Rome. While a few were fighting in the arena, thousands sat on the grandstand, cheering loudly. In the same way many of us have become spectators on the sidelines of life. Thousands upon thousands are sitting on the grandstand while a handful are fighting courageously. Many people call themselves Christians, but never think of getting involved, or of sacrificing anything for their convictions. Often our priorities are wrong. When our Christian duties need to be weighed up against other things the demands of Christianity always come second. And how do the spectators react when their team's achievements do not live up to their expectations? ...
