Furious Chapter 4 Devotional

Running for an Audience of One

In 1924, Eric Liddell was a national hero in the making. A devout Christian and a world-class sprinter, he was Britain’s best hope for gold in the 100-meter race at the Paris Olympics. But when he learned the race would be held on a Sunday, Eric made a quiet, costly decision: he would not run.

The press was brutal. Political leaders were outraged. Even the Prince of Wales urged him to reconsider. But Eric stood his ground. Not because he believed that running on a Sunday would send him to hell, or because he thought his righteousness depended on keeping a rule. He simply couldn’t violate his conscience. For Eric, that Sunday was set aside to honor the Lord. And though Sunday is not technically the Sabbath, his personal conviction came from a heart of devotion—not duty.

He wasn’t trying to appear holy. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He just wanted to please the Lord.

Instead of the 100 meters, he was moved to the 400—a race he hadn’t trained for. Just before the race, someone handed him a slip of paper with a Bible verse: “Those who honor me, I will honor.” (1 Samuel 2:30)

Eric won that race, breaking the world record and earning Olympic gold. But the real victory happened long before the starting gun fired. It was in the quiet decision to say, “I live for an audience of One.”

On the surface, his decision might look like legalism. But that’s the paradox: legalism and obedience can sometimes look the same from the outside. What makes the difference is the motive behind the action.

Legalism says, “I must do this to earn God’s favor.”

Grace says, “I want to do this because I already have His favor.”

Legalism is about keeping rules to appear righteous.

Grace is about honoring God from a heart that’s already been made righteous.

Some believers feel a sincere conviction about resting on the Sabbath, fasting, giving, or other spiritual practices. If those choices flow from a heart of love and gratitude rather than performance or pressure, they are not legalism. In fact, they’re beautiful expressions of personal devotion.

The issue Paul confronts in Galatians is not obedience—it’s obligation. It’s the belief that we must perform to be accepted, that righteousness is something we earn, not something given. He isn’t rebuking people for having spiritual disciplines. He’s rebuking the idea that those disciplines justify us.

Whoever you’re trying to please—that’s who you’re truly serving. And as Paul says, “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

🔥 Reflection

Who are you trying to please—God or people? Are there any areas of your life where obedience is driven more by fear of others’ opinions than love for Christ? Take a moment to examine your motivations. True freedom isn’t found in trying harder—it’s found in trusting deeper.

🙏 Prayer

Lord, I want to live for You—not for applause, not for approval, not for fear of what others might think. Set my heart free from people-pleasing. Help me walk in obedience that flows from love, not obligation. Teach me to live for Your smile alone. Amen.

📣 Call-to-Action

Identify one area of your life where people-pleasing may be shaping your decisions. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to shift your motivation from pressure to devotion. This week, do something intentional—just for Jesus—that no one else may see or applaud. Let it be an act of quiet surrender to the One who already loves you.