Living by Faith

Hebrews 11 is a chapter all about faith. For me verse 6 really stands out. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” In another biblical version it reads as follows “Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him.” Within this chapter of Hebrews we look at faith and the whole aspect of blind faith. Faith is blind, we cant necessarily see the outcome of our faith, but we must believe that we are doing the correct thing. This is so similar to the sporting world where faith is such a vital and critical component of performance and improvement. There are many instances that as athletes we need to have faith. These are endless for example having faith in our coaches abilities, having faith in our own abilities, having faith in the program we are following, having faith in the plan that is set out for us, having faith in fellow team mates and having faith that the desired outcome will be achieved.

These instances of being faithful as an athlete can be paralled to the our faith in God. In both instances we are living by a ‘blind’ faith with every now and then receiving snippets that we are either doing right or wrong. This for example is when we read from the bible or receive confirmation from the Holy Spirit or compete in a competition and either have good or bad performances. Just the same as we need to have faith in our coach we need to have faith in God. Just the same as we need to have faith in the plan (periodisation plan in sport set for us) we need to have faith in the plan that has been laid out for us for our lives by God, a plan for our lives set up before we were even born. Just the same as we need to have faith in fellow team mates so too be need to have faith in the Body of Christ the church and the people around us, supporting us in our walk of life.

Faith is difficult, but as it says here in Verse 6 of Hebrews 11, without it is impossible to please God and that if we come to God we must believe and truly want to find him. So too our athletes, have faith firstly in the Lord our God and also in what the plan is laid out for you!

Plenty of rain? Sowing & Reaping

I have started working through the book of Hebrews and this morning I read through Hebrews 6. Within this chapter a lot has to do with Knowing God or knowing about God (as it is described with an insert in my bible). A section of this chapter that stood out for me was from verse 7-12. It reads as follows:

“7Some people are like land that gets plenty of rain. The land produces a good crop for those who work it, and it receives God’s blessing. 8Other people are like land that grows thorns and weeds and is worthless. It is about to be cursed by God and will destroyed by fire. 9Dear friends, we are saying this to you, but we really expect better things from you that will lead to your salvation. 10GOD IS FAIR; HE WILL NOT FORGET THE WORK YOU DID AND THE LOVED YOU SHOWED HIM BY HELPING HIS PEOPLE. AND HE WILL REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE STILL HELPING THEM. 11We want each of you to go on with the same hard work all your lives so you will surely get what you hope for. 12We do not want you to become lazy. Be like those who through faith and patience will receive what God has promised.” A few things stand out for me in this piece.

Firstly how people are compared to land. As we all know land is of vital importance in the production of vital food for us as humans and also animals. If the land is spoiled or does not have the correct make up the crops and the end products is not of great quality.

Secondly, the land that receives plenty of rain (good input) produces a good crop and particularly for those whom have worked for it, and it will receive God’s blessing. This is the same for us as humans in that if we receive the correct ‘information’, support, advice and we work towards a life full of God and to adhere to His commands, advice expected way of living, we too will receive his blessings.

Thirdly, the some individuals are like a land that grows thorns and weeds and is worthless. This is true especially with individuals who harvest bad thoughts, who follow ill advice, whom don’t follow God’s teachings and don’t meet the necessary expectations.

Fourthly, the harshness of the words in verse 8. ‘… and is worthless. It is about to be cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.’ This is very harsh and straight to the point something that we often do not want to be faced with, directness. But as it says if we don’t follow and do what is expected of us, we will be treated accordingly and it won’t be pleasant. This links back to a previous post of mine where I mentioned about the harshness of fire and the fact it has the power to destroy.

Fifthly, the verse that can and should bring us affirmation and reassurance that if we don’t what is expected on us that we will be treated FAIRLY because God is Fair and he wont forget the work we have done and love showed to others.

Finally, the command and expectation set for us as believers. This entails going to do the same hard work for all of our lives, not becoming lazy and if through applying faith and patience in our work we will received what has been promised to us by God. This is a really encouraging thought but along with is the challenge is set. If we take up that challenge we must be prepared to do this for the rest of our lives on earth, ensuring we follow God with unconditional faith and allow for patience as at the right time God will show and provide to us.

This passage made me think of the parable of the planting the Seed (This is found in Matthew 13). We are humans need to remember that “what we sow, we shall reap” so it is important for us to be sowing the right things in the right places and through the belief we have in what we are doing and not rushing God for action we will reap the rewards. So as sportsmen and women what are we sowing and in return setting ourselves up to reap. As sportsmen we are always exposed to having to apply quite often both faith and patience in our training and competing. So this is something we should be used to! So why not do the same for Christ?

SB

Comrades Marathon

This weekend (Sunday the 15th of June to be precise), was the the running of the Comrades Marathon. Man I really have not worked out quite what would 'drive' a person to do this. One guy was running and completed his 43rd marathon. You do the maths (43 x 89km). That is like running from Pretoria to Port Elizabeth 3 x. that does not even include all the thousands of km's training. Anyway, i was fortunate enough to be able to go to Durban and witness this event, most of it on the back of a motor bike.

It was amazing for me to the number of people running with banners and t-shirts proclaiming Gods love and strength in their lives.

As I said I spent most of the race on the back of a motor bike. What was really cool was that the biker guys were Christian bikers. The whole day I had their 'Motto' verse running through my head.
Hebrews 4 v 12. So what did it say. Well when i got back to the hotel i quickly checked it out and this is what it said "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of my soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Verse 13 is also special so I read it to "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (ESV).

Once again an amazing verse. The word of God is living, and this is encouraging to think that the Bible is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago and it will be until the ends of time. The word of God gets to the point of the matter, to the deepest roots of our existence. It is the challenge for us to live by it and to use it as our Blue Print of life.

As for Verse 13 it is encouraging and challenging to think that everything we do, feel, say and believe is visible to God. We are all Naked & Exposed to Him. the final challenge is that we will all one day give account for our lives, actions, thoughts and interactions and that none of it will be hidden. So in everything we do lets keep ourselves firmly focused on Him and go to God for our source of strength and direction.

SB