Olympics: Mans' Adulation of Man

OLYMPICS - MANS' ADULATION OF MAN

I felt a real perplexity just last night. I had continued watching more of the 2012 Olympic Games here in my country of birth. My desperately wicked, (but redeemed, praise my Saviour,) heart erupted with a sense of joy and pride at times during these games. My proud "British-ness" apparently eradicated "in Christ" came to the fore.

I had been cautious as the Olympics approached, realising the possibility of detriment to the souls of individual believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have no doubt that we may plead that they are legitimate; but for whom?

Many of us who love the Saviour wasted hours watching men and women lauded to immense heights. Commentators frequently ran out of superlatives as they attempted to exalt this one and that one.

Comments were made that defy belief. Almost every athlete interviewed had plans for the the future as if the future lay in their own hands! 

Roman-ism, erroneously termed "Catholicism," was unashamedly exhibited and permitted to give the impression that it was owned of God, as one by one they "made the sign of the cross," and pointed heavenward.

It was abundantly apparent that ambition, aspiration and adulation were the goal of the competitors, while achievement was their god!

Do these appear to be harsh words to the believer in Christ? These men and women from so many parts of this world that is loved by God, have sacrificed immense amounts time, talent, effort and finance to reach their desired reward. Little time, and very likely none, is afforded to things spiritual.

I heard one commentator say "This will be remembered for ever!" What arrogance, what presumption!

At the closure of "time," with the dawn of eternity, not one of these achievements that have dominated the hearts and minds of perhaps billions of people, will ever be recalled. 

Over the ambitions, aspirations and achievements of men God will have written "abomination!" We have seen men almost deified and it is but a portent of what is to come! Mankind will worship a man, the "man of sin," because they will not worship the "Man of Sorrows."

If we, believers may learn but one lesson from these "Games" ought it not to be absolute surrender of our time, talent, energy and finance to our lovely Saviour Who expended everything for us?

Anything that we achieve for His glory will be recompensed with that which is "incorruptible and undefiled and unfading." 1 Peter 1:4.