I greatly enjoyed reading about Euan Murray's decision not to play for Scotland against Argentina this coming Sunday. You can read it in the Telegraph and in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Now, to be fair, what it looks like in practice for Christians to keep the Sabbath Commandment is an area where not all Christians agree. Provided a fellow Christian is seeking to live out the teaching of Scripture, rather than circumvent it, it's an area where I would want to respect other people whether I agree with them or not.
Nevertheless, what's so impressive is the fact that, for Murray, following Jesus means doing what he says. He takes it seriously. You can't claim to follow Jesus, and then only do so at the points where it suits you. Notice the way he puts this makes obeying the Bible important only because this is the way to obey Jesus.
It's basically all or nothing, following Jesus. I don't believe in pick 'n' mix Christianity. I believe the bible is the word of God, so who am I to ignore something from it? I might as well tear out that page then keep tearing out pages as and when it suits me. If I started out like that, there would soon be nothing left. I want to live my life believing and doing the things he wants and the sabbath day is a full day.It's not a case of a couple of hours in church then playing rugby or going down the pub, it's the full day.
People commenting on the Daily Telegraph site can't come to terms with this at all. To follow Christ, and then to decide that he is lord of all, is incomprehensible for many people today. But that is what the assertion that Jesus is Lord means, and it's what he demands.
I have to say that it's a credit to Murray's consistency, hard work the other 6 days a week, and good relationships with others, that it would appear his team mates, coaches and managers fully understand and respect his stance.
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