September 17
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud 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, 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. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls,” Hebrews 12:1-3.
Let us follow the example of the many witnesses whose testimony of salvation by faith surrounds us as it is recorded before our eyes in Holy Scripture. Let us run the Christian race that is set before us until we reach the goal – heaven!
The ancient athletes who ran races knew the importance of being physically in the best possible shape, as it is expressed in the words, “Lay aside every weight.” They did not want to carry any ounces of extra weight which would hinder the speed at which they would be able to run. Strenuous exercise which would build strong legs and strong lungs was exceedingly necessary to compete in the races and gain the prize, which at that time really did not amount to much.
Let us run the Christian race that is set before us and let us lay aside every weight that would hinder us – namely, “The sin which so easily ensnares us.” Willfully and stubbornly living in sin will destroy our faith. Remember the words of Scripture, “You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons,” 1 Corinthians 10:21. You cannot claim to be a child of God and live like the devil!
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Let us keep in touch with God’s Word, which enables us to run with endurance. God’s Word, which is the Sword of the Spirit, enables us to battle against our own sinful flesh, against the sinful world in which we live, and against the temptations of the devil. Trusting in the power of God’s Word, we will endure in the faith.
The ancient athletes did not take their eyes off of the goal at the end of the race. As Christians, we should keep, “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” Our conversion and our sanctification are gifts of God. God brings us to faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit,” 1 Corinthians 12:3. We also are kept in the faith through the Word of God. “(You) are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time,” 1 Peter 1:5. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:6.
As we run the race that is set before us, let us look to Jesus, “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.” Jesus kept His eyes on the prize before Him – the glories and bliss of heaven, which would be His as the God-Man, and which He would gain to redeem all people by enduring the suffering and death of the cross. Having completed the work of redemption, He sat down at the right hand of God. He is ruling over all things, and He will come again to take all believers with Him into heaven. Consider what He endured to redeem you, and believe His promise to enable you to keep the faith and to run with joy the race that is set before you!
“Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain,
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Thro’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.” Amen.