In a sport that requires ferocious power and unrelenting drive, it is no surprise that the hulking figure of Maro Itoje has become England’s latest rugby sensation.
Although his 6ft 5in, 18st 4lb physique suggests a lifetime spent in the gym in pursuit of his dream, however, he is just as likely to be found writing poetry while his friends practise on the pitch.
Other perhaps surprising interests include classical singing, the opera, visiting art galleries and debating foreign policy.
But a glance at the aspirational background of this 21-year-old son of immigrant parents from Nigeria shows that he is no ordinary sportsman.
His eye-catching talent as a youngster saw him awarded a sports scholarship to £36,000-a-year public school Harrow.
With it came a warning from his parents that if he neglected his studies he could forget about rugby.
As well as being told to put his schoolwork first, he was also given stern advice that he would have to ‘fight extra hard’ for opportunities because he belonged to an ethnic minority.
The player heeded the wise words and was yesterday hailed as a future England captain after being included for the first time in the starting line-up of the Six Nations team that will play Ireland tomorrow.
He has already captained his club side Saracens in the Aviva Premiership, and captained England’s under-20 side during their victory at the Junior World Championship in 2014.
In keeping with his family’s advice, Itoje – nicknamed ‘the chosen one’ by teammates – shuns partying and insists that rugby is just one in a long list of interests.
Classical chorister: Itoje is pictured in his schooldays at Harrow (left), where he performed as a singer (right)
While rapidly rising through the ranks of English rugby, he has also been studying for a politics degree at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
The player – who left Harrow with A grades in A-level economics, statistics and politics – was in the choir there and is an avid poet, having taken up writing while on a long-distance rugby trip
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SAVING FAITH COMES FROM HEARING GOD'S WORD BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteDo men receive faith, that saves, because God arbitrarily bestows them with faith? Does God predetermined who will be saved and then cause them to have faith so they can be saved? No and No.
Faith comes from hearing God's word preached.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(NKJV)
Romans 10:14 How they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?(NKJV)
Faith comes when men believe the gospel. Faith is not forced on men by God.
MISUNDERSTOOD PROOF-TEXT EPHESIANS 2:8
Ephesians 2:8 is used to prove that faith is a gift from God, however, that is not what is says.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God,(NKJV)
Salvation is the gift from God. Faith is not the gift.
Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Why would Jesus condemn men who do not believe if God is the one who arbitrarily bestows faith on men so they can be saved?
To have faith that Jesus is the Son of God is a choice. To trust in God is a choice. To believe that God resurrected Jesus from the grave is a choice. To believe that Jesus is both Lord and Christ is a choice. God does not force men to have faith. Saving faith is the not a gift from God. Salvation is the gift from God.
WHAT MUST MEN DO TO BE SAVED?
1. Hear the gospel. Romans 10:17
2. Believe. John 3:16
3. Confess. Romans 10:9
4. Repent. Acts 3:19
5. Be baptized in water. Acts 2:38
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