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? They are jeered and criticized. When someone in the arena puts a foot wrong, the tongues start wagging. People who do things for God's Kingdom are certainly not perfect. Someone was once heard saying, "I've got nothing against Jesus Christ, but it's His ground staff that bothers me." We may not, however, remain neutral because we know that we are not perfect. In this world a never-ending feud is raging between good and evil, right and wrong, truth and lie, light and darkness, life and death. That is why God's children dare not remain on the grandstand. Jesus Himself never remained neutral - even though it cost Him His life. He expects us to follow suit. Christianity involves dynamic action in life's arena! 

Take my life O Lord, let it glorify You more and more. Amen.

Solly Ozrovech