I was eleven years old when Nike coined the phrase “Just Do It.” This brilliantly short and easy to remember slogan captures the tenacious resolve and disciplined commitment of athletes across the board. Since 1988 “Just Do It” has transcended the sports arena and become a source of inspiration for millions of ordinary sports enthusiasts across the globe.
Our capacity to commit to a course of action and just do it is a quality that can lead to success in sports and in life. This truth is also applicable when it comes to matters of faith. In fact, putting our faith into action is what the Epistle of James instructs Believers to do. James sums up the essence of the Christian life in one verse:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).
In other words, our mandate as Believers is to practice what we preach — to put into action what we profess to believe. This is where the Christian life requires a similar resolve and commitment as we see displayed in athletic competition. There will be times in life when we need to just do what the Word of God says, even when we don’t feel like doing it.
Theoretical knowledge of spiritual truth is not what the Christian life was designed to be. Our mission is to apply what the says Bible to the life we live. If we’re in the habit of congratulating ourselves for downloading the most popular sermons and listening to the latest Christian podcasts but we’re not putting what we hear into action, we’ve only deceived ourselves. What we hear must be accompanied by doing. Doing doesn’t save us but doing should be the natural by-product of hearing.
Another way of putting “Do what it says,” is to say that the Christian faith is incarnational living. When we become the hands and feet of Jesus our faith becomes living and active. People say, “Actions speak louder than words,” and this is also true when it comes to our faith. So, let’s resolve to just do it and engage the world. Let’s allow our faith to speak and put it into action.
Imago Dei Sports 