November 5, 2021 RUN WITH ENDURANCE
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We have a race to run; the race is set before us. We are not alone; there is a countless number of believers who have gone before us, and there is a countless number of believers who are alive today-‘surrounding us.’ This matter of being joined to God and living our lives according to His gospel is no small deal. The writer of Hebrews is encouraging us to run the race with endurance, but he is also admonishing us or warning us that if not alert, we will not run as we should. We need to determine if there are any encumbrances that hinder us from running well, and is there any sin ‘which so easily entangles us.’ There are many things that could encumber us: such as our being consumed with certain activities or hobbies; focusing on the temporal; seeking fame or fortune, harmful thought patterns, allowing ourselves to become indifferent or even becoming spiritually slothful-or whatever. The point is, let us be alert to anything that draws our attention from the things of the Lord. In this passage of scripture, encumbrance and sin are closely related; perhaps sin is more obvious. Most of us quickly renounce and reject certain sins, but at the same time may allow certain ‘small’ sins to hinder or entrap us. Evaluating our spiritual health and our relationship with the Lord is a good thing to do-and is scriptural; but we are not to become absorbed in self-evaluation. One purpose of the Holy Spirit being given to us is to guide us; if we are sensitive to the voice of the Spirit, He will point out to us any encumbrances or sins that are hindering us or preventing us from running the race set before us. In this race, because we encounter obstacles and resistance along the way, we must run with endurance; we must set our eyes on Jesus and the blessings we will receive when we meet Jesus face-to-face. Do not misunderstand; this does not mean that we must refrain from enjoyable or necessary activities; but it does mean that we do all we do as unto Him and that we keep Him as our priority in life. The good news is that we can “lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us” and we can “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We have many witnesses rooting us on. If you have been side-tracked, get back in the race-it is not too late to finish well.
1 Corinthians 9:25 “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed