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Watching the final events of Alexi Navalny’s life, I couldn’t help but wonder why he did what he did and how he had such obvious peace and courage as he did it.
Russel Moore quoted him in a recent article and in it, Moore emphasized Navalny’s courage to stand alone.
Though admirable, I found another aspect of the quote, which I’ll discuss following it more challenging to me and to all who read and take to heart the values emphasized here on Bible805, which are to know, trust, apply, and teach the Bible.
Following is the quote and my comments. From Navalny’s 2021 trial transcript at Meduza (as rendered by Google Translate):
“The fact is that I am a Christian, . . . sets me up as an example for constant ridicule. . . because mostly our people (he was talking about those who resisted Putin) are atheists, and I was once quite a militant atheist myself,” Navalny said. “But now I am a believer, and that helps me a lot in my activities because everything becomes much, much easier.”
“There are fewer dilemmas in my life, because there is a book in which, in general, it is more or less clearly written what action to take in every situation,” he explained. “It’s not always easy to follow this book, of course, but I am actually trying.”
Specifically, Navalny said, he was motivated by the words of Jesus: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6, NASB).
“I’ve always thought that this particular commandment is more or less an instruction to activity,” Navalny said. “And so, while certainly not really enjoying the place where I am, I have no regrets about coming back or about what I’m doing. It’s fine, because I did the right thing.”
“On the contrary, I feel a real kind of satisfaction,” he said. “Because at some difficult moment I did as required by the instructions and did not betray the commandment.”
From a newsletter article by Russell Moore, quoted in https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/february-web-only/alexei-navalny-russell-moore-putin-russia-moral-courage.html
What challenged me in particular was this statement—
But now I am a believer, and that helps me a lot in my activities because everything becomes much, much easier.”
“There are fewer dilemmas in my life, because there is a book in which, in general, it is more or less clearly written what action to take in every situation,” he explained. “It’s not always easy to follow this book, of course, but I am actually trying.”
So simple and so true—“We have a book in which, in general, it is more or less clearly written what action to take in every situation.”
We have a book. We have the Bible. In it, we have all that is needed not only for our eternal salvation and how to live a life that is moral and pleasing to God.
It is also a book that can give us extraordinary courage to face the most difficult challenges of life without fear.
Most of us are far from the fear Navalny faced, yet we feel a gnawing dissatisfaction with life. We wish this or that was better; we wish we were better. I am currently fretting about all sorts of things and was brought to tears as I read the words of someone who returned to certain imprisonment and likely death, who could say:
“And so, while certainly not really enjoying the place where I am, I have no regrets about coming back or about what I’m doing. It’s fine, because I did the right thing.”
“On the contrary, I feel a real kind of satisfaction,” he said. “Because at some difficult moment I did as required by the instructions and did not betray the commandment.”
The world saw pictures of what was perhaps the last earthly day of Navalny. They showed a man behind physical bars, yet unafraid, joking with guards, a man more free than any in that room and likely most of us because a book, the Book, God’s Word was the North Star that guided his life and that he was obedient to regardless of the consequences.
He knew; he trusted; he applied the Book, the Bible and based on that lived the last moments of his life with extraordinary courage and as an inspiring example to all of us.
The important clarification of WHY we read, study, and get to know our Bibles
Getting to know God’s Word, to trust, apply, and teach it, which is the purpose of the Bible805 ministry is not merely an intellectual exercise.
I don’t recommend reading through the entire Bible in chronological order so you can say you’ve done that and check it off your spiritual growth list.
All I recommend, remind you of, and teach in every way I can is so that your LIFE will be different, from immersing yourself in God’s truth and ways— so that the core of your soul will know your God and have confidence in Him, so that like Navalny, no matter what comes, you can do “as required by the instructions and not betray the commandment.”
Resources to help you get to know God’s Word
Link to reading through your Bibles in Chronological order including schedules: https://wp.me/pazrJD-Mp
Bible805 Academy: a FREE resource of videos, podcasts, handouts, charts, editable PowerPoint presentations–everything you need to teach the Bible: www.Bible805Academy.com.