Galatians 6:10
‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’
DAILY READING – Philippians 3; Ezekiel 23; Isaiah 51.
In December 2012, Spanish athlete Ivan Fernandez Anaya made news when he allowed another runner who was leading a race to finish first, despite the other runner’s huge blunder that should have cost him the win.
Kenyan runner Abel Mutai who was an Olympic medalist, was leading in first place during a cross-country race in Burlada, Spain. Fernandez was in second place behind Abel Mutai. But when Mutai was about 10 meters away from the end of the race, he mistakenly thought he had crossed the finish line and won the race – so he slowed down. Fernandez was a little bit surprised, because Mutai still had 50 meters to go to reach the finish line. Unable to speak Spanish, Mutai did not understand as spectators tried to tell him he was still a few meters short. Fernandez caught up to him and instead of taking advantage of the situation to win, he pushed Mutai to go forward. Fernandez encouraged him to keep running until he crossed the finish line. Fernandez chose honesty and sportsmanship over victory.
The Sportsmanship of Iván Fernández earned him massive attention on the social media and made him even more popular than he would have been if he had won the race.
In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Apostle Paul said ‘All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient’. Fernandez could have overtaken Mutai and won lawfully, no one could have faulted his win, but his conscience dictated something different.
There are many times as believers that we will be faced with temptations to do what may outwardly appear legal, but within us we know it is not right. The message Bible says in Philippians 2:4 “Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand”
We have to be committed to doing the right thing even if it costs something in return. Love is not only what we say, it is also what we do. And love for others is manifested in our attitude towards them.
Galatians 6:10 says ‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’
Every opportunity we have we should do good to people. In our giving we should have a ‘do good’ seed, just to bless others. We are not created to live selfishly. We were created to make a difference in the lives of others. John Bunyan, author of the classic Pilgrim’s Progress said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone that cannot pay you back.’ And when you sow good, you also reap good; God sends you divine connections, people that will go out of their way just to be good to you.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always live a life that glorifies You. May Your light constantly shine through me to draw men into Your kingdom in Jesus Name.
Quote : Illuminate your world for you are a star destined to shine. WORDBITE 222.