Hebrews 12 v 1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We all have our own race to run.
Some of us are competitive. But we are not in competition with each other or against each other.
In our spiritual life, we are forever an athlete.
The Christian life is like running a race. The heroes of the past are watching us. They witness to us. The people in heaven are watching us here on earth. Those in heaven are praying for us. All of us are called to run a race. How to be a champion.
- There is a purpose to pursue; salvation puts us in the race. You must be a citizen of heaven to take part in the race. We can not stop until the race is finished. We are not in competition with each other.
- There is a person to prepare; that is, you. Things could slow us down, weigh us down. Sin does trip us up, weigh us down. Unbelieve comes out of the heart. Right shoes, right uniform are things that can prepare us. Good things become bad things when they keep you from achieving your goal. Everything could be lawful for me, but not everything could be good for me, expedient. Grace and peace be multiply unto you. There is an order of things in the Bible, God’s order. Repentance and faith in order. First repentance, then faith.
- There is a price to pay; patience. Patience is weightier than endurance. If you posses it, it posses you.
- There is a promise to keep, to plead; Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus gives us faith. Faith comes by looking unto Jesus. We gain faith by looking unto Jesus.
- There is a price to claim; Jesus endure the cross for you and me, for our salvation, to sit down on the right hand of the Father to plead our case. For us to receive the crown. A crown to lay at Jesus’s feet.
We are not saved by our works. We are saved by our Lord Jesus Christ. Believe in Him and you will be saved and shall not perish. Not an intellectual belief. Not an emotional belief or feeling or expression. But from your heart.
