Some things are worth dying for

 “If you don't stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”   

Steve Bartkowski

  There’s just something thrilling about athletic competition, particularly international athletic competition, that can bring out the best in us. I’ve been watching the tally for our medals compared to other countries that are participating. Don’t you feel a sense of pride when we win? I often find myself getting choked up when I hear, “USA, USA, USA,” see our the stars and stripes raised and hear our national anthem when one of our athletes or teams wins the coveted gold medal.

  As I was reflecting on this year’s Winter Olympics, I remembered a blockbuster movie from some years back about the 1924 Olympics, Chariots of Fire. If you’ve never seen it, please rent it. It’s the true story of Christian athlete and hero, Scottish runner, Eric Liddell. It would be a great movie to watch and then discuss with your children.

  The 1924 Summer Olympics were hosted by the city of Paris. A devout Christian and a man of deep conviction, Eric Liddell refused to run in a heat held on Sunday (what to him was “the Christian Sabbath”), thus he was forced to withdraw from the 100-meters race, his best event. The schedule had been published several months earlier, and his decision was made well before the Games. He wouldn’t run even if he were his country's only hope of winning an Olympic gold medal. Sunday was a day of worship and rest for Eric. Even back then, many political leaders and his own countrymen were very angry with him. The press wrote horrible things about him. Some even called him a traitor. In spite of the tremendous pressure, Eric held to his convictions. He’d never run on Sunday and never would, not even for a gold medal. He then spent the intervening months training for the 400 meters, though his best pre-Olympics time for that event was modest by international standards, and he knew his chance of winning that race were very slim. Two of other the runners in this race had set world record times. In addition, on the day of the race, Eric was assigned the worst lane. But a note in his pocket encouraged him. The team trainer gave it to him before he left his hotel room. It was a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30: "Those who honor me I will honor.” Eric knew his decision not to run on Sunday honored God. Inspired by this fellow Christian’s encouragement, he ran as he’d never run before. He broke the existing Olympic and world records with a time of 47.6 seconds, winning the gold medal.

  Eric had been born in China to missionary parents. After the Olympics, though it was very dangerous, he returned to China as a missionary. The Japanese had invaded China and ultimately he was taken prisoner and incarcerated in a horribly overcrowded prison camp. Even there, he was faithful to God, setting up worship services, schooling for children, sporting activities, and taking care of the sick. He became the most respected person in the camp because of his joyful attitude. Yet, after being imprisoned for nearly two years, he became very ill and at just 43 years of age, he died.

  Christian heroes are always men and women of conviction. Convictions are not determined the heat of the moment, convictions are cultivated and nurtured long before they’re ever tested. It was conviction that enabled Joseph to run when Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him. It was conviction that led Moses’ mother to hide him when Pharaoh had ordered the execution of all male infants. It was conviction that helped Joshua and Caleb stand up to the entire nation, believing God would give them the Promised Land. It was conviction that enabled Daniel to open his windows and pray as he always had, even though he was an old man and knew he’d be thrown into the lions den. The phrase “your goose is cooked” was first coined from the martyrdom of the Christian reformer John Hus, who’s  German name sounded like “goose.” He chose to be burned at the stake rather than deny his Lord. It was because of her conviction that 17 year-old, Cassie Bernall was executed at Columbine. When one of the gunmen, Dylan Klebold, asked her whether she believed in God, she said “Yes” and was immediately shot and killed.

  Yet, God does not ask Christians of conviction to just die for Him. What our world most needs, what our Lord most desires, is Christians of conviction who will live for Him. Those convictions are first forged by spending time in the Word and in prayer. Those convictions are forged in a local family of believers in worship and discipleship. Those convictions are forged by faithful service to the Lord before the heat is not on.

  Conviction is seen when a believer is committed to purity and holiness in an anything goes world. Conviction is seen when a believer is committed to joy, gratitude and peacefulness in an unhappy, ungrateful, cantankerous culture. Conviction is seen when a believer is committed to being an encourager rather than a gossip and talebearer. Conviction is seen when a believer is committed to doing what is right and ethical, even when it costs position, a potential promotion, popularity and financial compensation.  Conviction is seen when a believer stands up to his or her own friends or family rather than going along to get along. But sadly, you won’t meet many individuals of conviction, even among Christians. Conviction isn’t popular and it’s costly, it can even cost you your very life. But in the courts of heaven where it ultimately matters, conviction counts for all eternity.

  Are you a Christian with convictions? Are you modeling that and teaching convictions to your children? Are you a person who knows and clings to biblical values? Are you willing to suffer for doing what is right?  

  When the new of Eric Liddell’s tragic death reached Scotland, the whole country mourned but Heaven rejoiced. I often find that when a Christian of conviction dies, even lost people mourn. They know that they have witnessed something unusual. Are you unusual? Are you a person of biblical convictions?