TEXT:

‘Therefore we also, 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’ (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In Part 1 we studied how the lives and faithfulness of past believers are encouraging us to continue in the faith. As Jesus is our supreme example and focus, we’re to look to Him because He is the author and finisher of our faith.

In the epic film, “Chariots of Fire”, Eric Liddell (who later became a missionary to China) loved running and was an excellent athlete, even winning a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympic games. The film featured one race in which he slipped and fell while running. His competitors raced on ahead. What did he do? He got up and started running again and before long he retook the lead and won.

As Christians it’s all too easy to slip and fall over, but don’t stay on the ground. Pick yourself up and continue because you can make it. This is why the Bible says, ‘Do not rejoice against me, O my enemy, for though I fall, I will rise again! When I sit in darkness, the Lord himself will be my Light’ (Micah 7:8 TLB).

Sandwiched between that cloud of witnesses and the example of Jesus, is the challenge for the present-day believer. There are several key things Christians can do to make it.

1. Lay Aside

• Every Weight – ‘Lay aside every weight’

This refers to things we hang on to which are not wrong but will hinder us from running the race God has set before us. Paul wrote, ‘All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]’ (1 Corinthians 10:23 AMP).

In sports, weight is a key factor, not just for the athlete but also their equipment. What can we strip from our lives that will help us to run better?

• Every Sin – ‘And the sin which so easily ensnares us’

Note, the writer of Hebrews didn’t think himself to be better than others, that’s why he used the word ‘Us’. We’re all in the same boat. If we’re honest, we all know how easy it is for sin to ensnare us. When Paul (as revealed in Romans chapter 7) felt overwhelmed by sin, he turned his attention and focus to Jesus, and we should too. We’ll never be free from sin until death finally ends that struggle, but we can get the victory in those battles with sin, repeatedly.

2. Run – ‘And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us’

Paul wrote, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ (2 Tinothy 4:7).

Thank God my race is not the same as Paul’s. I have my own! In the Olympics there are many disciplines and athletes choose the one they are best suited for. They all train differently to compete well, so it is with us. Don’t try to run my race and I won’t try to run yours!

• Endurance that is painful – ‘If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons’ …. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful’ (Hebrews 12:7, 11).

Endurance produces the ability to go through the pain barrier, when stopping would be much easier.

• Endurance that is profitable – ‘But He for our profit’ (Hebrews 12:10)

Parents discipline their children but it’s not always for their good. But God only does it for our good. With earthly parents, discipline can be erratic but with God it’s always spot-on!

• Endurance that is peaceable – ‘Afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness’ (Hebrews 12:11).

When we’re willing to endure, we’ll find peace with God and with others.

3. Look – ‘Looking unto Jesus’

At this year’s Wimbledon tennis tournament, it was interesting to see players who were heading for defeat, look up to their coaches for encouragement and inspiration. I’m always saddened when Christians talk about God but never really include Jesus. Paul wrote, ‘All forsook me … but the Lord stood with me and strengthened me’ (2 Timothy 4:16-17).

Don’t look at those who’ve left you, criticised you and disappointed you. Instead, look at the One who said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you … so we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ (Hebrews 13:5-6).

The Bible says, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31). We can be our own worst enemy. When we’re tempted to give up, let’s consider again the encouragement of Biblical believers, Christians around us and Jesus Himself. Then keep going, for we can make it!