"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a crowd of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin, which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
We are in a race and, it's one, that our Champion - Jesus, wants us to win. There are some key things to focus on in these two verses - things that can help us achieve our goal.
Firstly, we read in v1 that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Some people have thought that these, heroes of the faith - both men and women, are seated in something like a stadium, watching us as we run this race of faith, almost like they are cheering us on. They are not spectators; rather, they are bearing witness to us that God can help us through whatever we are faced with. In other words, as we look at what they achieved, they can encourage us into doing the same.
God tells us in v1 to: 'lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us' Note that this doesn't say that the weight includes our sin. No, it says 'and the sin.' There is a major difference. We all carry things around that eventually become so troublesome that, they weigh us down. These are worries, anxiety and stress. We lay awake at night worrying about something that may happen, but rarely does. Things like this, hold us in captivity because, while we are fixing our thoughts on the 'What if's', we are distracted from what the Word of God says, so our faith begins to be shaky. Then of course, if we confess that we are a believer and yet, continue to deliberately commit sin, we are deceiving ourselves and blocking the way to walking with God.
It takes endurance to be able to walk the road with Jesus; don't ever think it will be easy. Things still happen to believers as they do to unbelievers, we are still susceptible. However, when we place Jesus in control, He leads us through and gives us the ability to overcome and cope with what we are facing. Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14: 'Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching towards those things which are ahead, 14 I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.'
Whatever you may be facing today, think of the heroes of the faith who have gone before you. They had their problems too but, God helped them through and, He will you as well. 'Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith' v2; receive His strength and walk in it. He's the Champion who will help you through.
Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.
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