With Michael Phelps of the United States Olympic Swim Team racking up the gold medals over there in China - with his long-torsoed body and great wingspan dominating the field of swimming - we are witnesses to an important theme in the world of sports that actually affects all of us, whether Olympic-minded or not. It was said at one time that the swim meets are the the most "elitist" of the Olympic sport. This was noted because "there are far less swimming pools in the world" than there are "running fields". This may be debatable, yet the point to be made is that since there are far less swimming pools in the world than track fields, there too is another elitist emblem out in the world which stands out among the world's most popular religious grouping: it is that of the faithful Christian.
A faithful Christian is in an elite field, and yet there are far too less of them in the world, as we see the inhabitants of the earth prefer to be either Nominal Christian or Agnostic, Muslims or Buddhists. Furthermore, the faithful Christian must stand out, and not for himself, as it were, but for his master, so that it is not the Christian which we see doing the works, but the power of God in him. Faithful Chrisitanity is elitist because - other religions donot offer eternal life on the same plane as God and a faithful Christian understands this. Many Christians believe the saved go to heaven. The faithful Christian understands that he'll inherit the earth.
Faithful Christianity is elitist because it's leader, Jesus Christ, gave his life for his flock - yes, even for the entire world! Now, come on - everybody remembers Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities; it goes beyond this life, beyond the grave when one gives his life for another. How much more if the Man who gives his life is also - God? A faithful Christian understands this. Everybody else who claims this religion usually comes away with thinking Jesus the Christ was something else - a created being or an angel - only made to be like God after his resurrection. Only the sacrifice of one who is perfect can atone for the sins of others. Do you believe Christ was perfect?
Lastly, the faithful Christian is elitist because his greatest enemy is not adherents of other religions, but those who claim the same religion as he. Whereas the world's religions fight against one another, this Christian must fight against himself, that certain pull to put the feelings of the heart before the knowledge of the spirit; he fights against false doctrine, whether from outside his Church grouping or from within it; and then he fights against the world and the ruler of it, who would want nothing better than to see his faithfulness fail.
You'll know a faithful Christian when you see one. Since it is an elitist field you may not come upon one casually, or everyday. As much as the Olympics is an important event showcasing the world's athletes and being made manifest every few years, we get a glimpse of a truly spectacular individual in only so much the same fashion as one sees a remarkable swimmer. He is, as Michael Phelps, made for the part; he doesn't give into laziness though, but instead he works at what he knows best and works hard at it so that when the time comes to compete, he is very much prepared and can glory in the meet.
