Updated: May 23, 2021
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, 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 is set down at the right hand of the father.
When it comes to running our race i.e... living the Christian life, there are basically three simple principles that we should always consider.
First - Those who have gone on before us
If somebody else was able to overcome past indiscretions or the attacks of the enemy, then beloved so can you. Paul the apostle told the church at Corinth I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; the more I abundantly love you, the less I be loved.
The best advice I ever received when I heeded Gods call into the ministry was that I should expect my heart to be broken. Often our spiritual gains come through pain, hurt, struggle, confusion and disappointment.
Just because you and I are products of our past, doesn’t mean we need to be a prisoner to it. You aren’t the first person who has failed God at some point in their life.
Abraham lied about his wife being his sister
Moses was a murderer and tried to make excuses to not accept Gods call
David was an adulterer, murderer and horrible father
Solomon had concubines which led him astray
Peter denied Christ
Mark left Paul on the mission field
Paul the Apostle killed Christians before his conversion
No matter which way we twist it, the race is rough and it lasts for our lifetime. Proverbs 24:16 The just man falleth seven times, yet riseth up again. Remember the testimonies and the faith of those who have run the race before you. Life isn’t over until you draw your last breath.
Second - We need to see how the race affects us
As I mentioned previously, the race is for our lifetime, but if you’re not careful, you’ll focus more on the training than on the actual race. A good start at doing this is to simply get your priorities right. Joshua 1:8-This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
We will never see the complete sufficiency of Christ until we begin to see how insufficient we are compared to Christ. We couldn’t atone for our sins. In fact, the only thing we did to ever earn merit towards our salvation is the sin which put Christ on the cross.
True success isn’t about becoming great in the sight of man or according to the worlds philosophy. True, life changing and lasting success is about not failing the grace and will of God. If we are to live a life dedicated to God and consumed by God, we need to be consumed with the Book which was written by Him!!!
Thirdly- we should always consider what Christ has done for us.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, kill, and destroy. I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Christ was born of a virgin-fully man yet fully God- lived 33 sinless years on this earth and died on the cross for our sins, forsaken by His Father only to have mankind reject him.
And as believers, we are called to live a life that is worthy of His death, an abundant spirit filled life. When is the last time you asked yourself, “is this life I’m living worth Christ dying for?” If we are honest, an overwhelming majority of us world say no, it isn’t.
Our opinions about the race don’t matter. The work of God done in accordance with the Word of God, in the Will of God empowered by the Spirit of God must never be sacrificed on the altar of personal experience or opinion.
As we look deeper into Hebrews 12:1 we see two distinct items which hinder the life of the believer…. weights and snares.
Weight issues come up in our life when God is drawing you into a more intimate life with Him, but there are some things you simply are have a hard time letting go of. They may necessarily not be sinful, but they are hindering you for being effective for the cause of Christ.
Sin issues are black and white and we can’t get around them at all. If Gods against it, so are we. It’s not about will power either. It’s about obedience to God and His Word. James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts.
The closer we draw to God, the easier it is to run the race.
Yet every single attack the enemy brings upon us is to get our eyes off Christ and the path that is set before us. If Satan can get you focused on the weights and snares, you’ll be more concerned about yourself and not the things of God. Focusing on the weights and snares is one of the ways we end up paying more attention to the training and not the race. We run a race to win.
Lets look again at John 10:10. I want to show you briefly how satan gets us to take our eyes of Christ.
First, we notice how the thief steals. Why does somebody steal? To take something of value. To take something that is profitable to the owner or person who has steward of it. In our lives as believers satan desire’s to steal those things which have an eternal significance for us. He will do everything he can in his power to keep you from winning the lost.
Many of us today are too focused on our life falling apart due to our lack of a walk with God, that we are powerless in our battle to reach the lost. We claim salvation, but there is no evidence of it in our lives. A lack of fruit and spiritual power is evident, and we lack the fruit of the Spirit as well.
The ground you’ve given satan has allowed him to steal any opportunity you have at doing something for God.
Not only does the thief steal, but he also kills. Now a lot of our own personal lifestyle choices do kill the body and we can blame the influence of the enemy on our lives for part of it. Yet, more often than not satan will get you to commit spiritual suicide.
Any believer who persistently and consistently yields to a besetting sin soon discovers that they are unable to confess it and turn away from it. Soon, that believer will find themselves unwilling to give it up. Roman 1:28-32And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity,; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boaster, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death,, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Now I’m not saying that when you are unwilling to forsake your sin and repent that you’ve lost your salvation. I can easily prove that once your saved, your always saved. I am saying that either you made a false profession of faith in Christ, or that you’ve lost your spiritual common sense.
Every fresh act of sin in the life of the believer lessens our fear and remorse, hardens our hearts, and increases our evil inclinations. - yet the Bible speaks very plainly in 1 John 1:9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him, because he is born of God.
Thirdly the thief comes to destroy that which you hold most dear, the relationships with those you love most.
We often tend to neglect, reject and grow bitter towards those we think have wronged us, especially those in our own family as well as those within the church. Could you answer these questions for me.
How’s your family relationships and marriage doing?
How do you get along with fellow believers?
How’s your relationship with your pastor and church staff?
How’s your relationship with Christ?
Most folks desire to pass on over to glory with friends and family by their bedside singing praises to God and rejoicing over the life they have lived. Yet many of us will go to our grave having never forgiven others, ourselves or asked for forgiveness from those we have wronged.
Every fiery dart of the enemy if put into its proper place, can be used to purify the lives and hearts of the believer by God as a refining fire. Yet far too often we use the fire as a means to escape, not run to rescue others whom are perishing.
There is a reason why a Christian is weighted down and giving into a besetting sin… its all just a matter of choice.
If you sow to the flesh, you reap garbage in your life. If you sow spiritual fruit in your life, you’ll soon find yourself living the abundant life. It’s all simply a matter of choice. Do you want to run to win or simply remain in the gym training? Your choice.
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