Manny Pacquiao: Fighting the Good Fight

By: American Decency Staff

By Chris Johnson Have you ever tried to work out with a heavy punching bag? I got one for Christmas a few years back, set it up in the garage, did a little research on different work out routines, and went to it. The fundamentals of a heavy bag workout (from what I found online) are three minute workouts of nothing but bouncing around the bag throwing at least four punch combos. That night was my first and last workout with a punching bag. I know I'm not the most exercise motivated guy out there, but those three minutes stretched on for what seemed like forever, and by the time it was done I was wupped. That's one reason that I have huge respect for Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, known to many as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Pacquiao is known for his speed, and after watching a few of his training videos, I can only imagine the training and perseverance it took to learn to throw that many punches that fast. I say that's one reason for my respect of Manny Pacquiao. There are many. He's a congressman in the Philippines, he works hard to fight poverty, and he's a reservist in the Philippine army, and he's one of the most popular athletes in the world but most admirably, he dedicated his life to Christ several months ago and he's pursuing Him as hard as he's pursued his boxing career. After a recent interview with the boxer, Pastor Rick Warren called Manny a "Bible-Quoting Maniac." According to the Christians Post, Pacquiao told Warren, "Now, I'm a Christian, I make all my team … we all memorize Scripture together." His official congressional website describes how his dedication to scripture has changed his training regimen. "Pacquiao and his whole team started his “high-altitudeâ€Â training at the so-called “City of Pinesâ€Â since April 17 with rigid jogging for his daily morning routine and intensive gym workouts for the afternoon routine, plus the Bible sharing and Bible studies every night that make his “high-altitudeâ€Â training really “highâ€Â and quite far different compared to his previous trainings here." Asked about how his new found faith would affect him in an upcoming fight, "Pacman" replied, "I have been authorized by my opponent to hit him. I have authorized him to hit me. It's just our careers… When I hit my opponent it doesn't mean that I don't like him. I love him." Although I'm sure there are theological differences between many of us and Pacquiao, I think we all can learn from his dedication to the faith, his urgency in memorizing and living out God's word, and his willingness to stand up – and stand out – for God. Most recently, Pacquiao has gotten flak for disagreeing with President Obama's recently adopted stance on gay marriage. From the LA Times, "In an interview with National Conservative Examiner, Pacquiao addressed President Obama's recent endorsement of gay marriage. 'God's words first … obey God's law first before considering the laws of man,' Pacquiao told the Examiner. 'God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married,' the boxer is quoted as saying. 'It should not be of the same sex, so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.' The article goes on to say that 'Pacquiao's directive for Obama calls societies to fear God and not to promote sin, inclusive of same-sex marriage and cohabitation." For those remarks, the boxer has been called bigoted and hateful and was even banned from the Groves Mall in Los Angeles. Thank God for public figures like Manny Pacquiao who are willing to proclaim His truth no matter how unpopular. ========================================================== To support our efforts please click here or mail your gift to American Decency Association (ADA), PO Box 202, Fremont, MI 49412. American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

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