Being a Christian

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;”-Romans 1:16

What a powerful statement is made in that sentence. There are perhaps a select few who illustrate this verse better than Eric Liddell. Liddell was a Scottish boy born in Northern China where both of his parents were servings Christian missions. At age five he and his eight year old brother were enrolled in a boarding school particularly for the sons of missionaries. While he was there he was instantly recognized as a remarkable athlete. He won several competitions and by age 15 was the captain of the rugby and cricket teams. Through it all however, his headmaster described him as being “entirely without vanity”.

Eric’s athletic reputation continued to grow. Scotland had yet to win a gold medal in the Olympics and people were convinced Liddell would be the first to do so. Most importantly however, Eric was a devote Christian. He used his popularity to draw large crowds to hear the gospel. It was suddenly Liddell’s job to be the head speaker of the Glasgow Evangelized Students Union, and he did so very well.

Liddell’s best event was the 100 Meter. However, during the 1924 Paris Olympics that race landed on a Sunday. Unlike many athletes who after years of training wouldn’t think twice about running on Sunday, Liddell refused, and instead spent the few months before the race training for the 400 M. His decision to not run on the Sabbath made quite a stir in the media and people saw his examples of Christianity from all around the world. Just before his 400 M race, an American masseur slipped a paper into Liddell’s hand with a scripture.
“

Those who honour me I will honour”-1 Samuel 2:30

Liddell then ran the 400 M race with that paper in his hand and not only won, but also broke the world record. Liddell went on and continued to win races and break records through 1925.

This is usually where the story of Eric Liddell ends. But this is where you really see the kind of person he was. Liddell never cared about his reputation. He only cared about bringing glory to his lord in the best ways he knew how.

Near the end of 1925 he followed in the footsteps of his parents by moving to China to be a Christian missionary. He would compete sporadically during his time there. He spent his time teaching at the Chinese school and used his skills to train boys in sports. In 1934 he married Florence Mackenzie, a Canadian missionary and they had 2 daughters.

In 1941, China was becoming a dangerous place to live for Europeans. The European governments encouraged all visitors to leave the country as soon as possible. Liddell quickly made arrangements for his wife, who was pregnant with their 3rd daughter, and 2 little girls to go to Canada to live with her parents. But Liddell felt it his duty to stay behind and assist with the poor. He quickly left for a mission to relieve his brother who was deathly ill, but was still providing medical treatment for the poor the best he could. His brother returned to Scotland and Eric took over.

Japan and China were at war. And in 1943 Japan took control of the mission Eric was running and he was taken to an internment camp. Though Eric had no knowledge that his example would be known throughout the world, he continued to represent Christ the best way he could. Food and medical supplies ran low in the camp, but Eric helped ration them to the needy. He spent his time helping the elderly, arranging games, teaching the children science, and teaching bible classes. His time there was spent destroying the social cliques and uniting the camp under one cause. One man in the camp said “He was the finest Christian gentleman it has been my pleasure to meet. In all his time at the camp I never heard him say a bad word about anybody.”

Eric Liddell wrote to his wife about being the on brink of a nervous breakdown due to overwork. But in reality, he was suffering from a brain tumor, which being malnourished and overworked irritated. He died that very day, never getting to see his unborn child, wife and daughters again.

Not enough can be said about this amazing disciple of Christ. He walked humbly before the lord, never esteeming another soul above his. Though obviously talented, he used all of his skills to bring about the joy of the gospel, even through the peak of his career. I cannot wait the day when I personally thank Eric Liddell for his remarkable example he has been to this earth. For he was certainly not ashamed of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was indeed a Christian.

“…When you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.”- Helaman 5:6-7.