"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
[who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness],
stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and
cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence
the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract
us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of
faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith
to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him
endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the
completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who
endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it
all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and
lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-4, AMP)
WOW! Really dissect these verses... they are powerful and if they don't build up your faith, read them again. What do these verses tell us?
1. That there are witnesses that we can read their stories to see the truth of God's faithfulness. We know, in that inner knowing we have, that the Father IS faithful, but we can read in His Word countless examples of people testifying to this.
2. It is also telling us that our ancestors ran their race, sometimes slipping, sometimes falling, many times failing... but they didn't stop. They always completed their assignments to the best that they knew how. And now, just as they were cheered on in their lives, they are now cheering us on to be our best and do our best.
3. We are old to get rid of the sins (known by us) that always ensnare us. But it also implies that we CAN do this. How? By endurance and persistence run the race that's right in front of us. Remember Romans 5, especially verses 3-4?
"And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and
rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure,
trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character
(spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance"
You can read that it is hardship, distress, pressure, trouble produces endurance which produces character which produces hope and assurance! All of this is dependent upon where we have our eyes.
4. How? Where? Our eyes should be on Jesus. This Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of faith. Read what He models for us, how He handled the hostility toward Himself. He gives us so many options about how we can respond to these same forces that are directed against us. And, to be honest, of a much lesser degree than what Jesus suffered.
Everything is directed toward the result - that WE don't grow weary and lose heart. Remember the scripture (Hebrews 4:15) that tells us that Jesus, our High Priest, understands what we face? That we can overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13) because He knows us, He knows our strengths, He knows our weaknesses. He tells us to abide in Him because apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:4).
I have only indicated a few of the learnings we receive from the Hebrews 12 scripture (and the supportive scriptures in Hebrews 4, 1 Corinthians, and John). But these should provide a sufficient foundation from which we can run our race. It's not about anything other than perfecting us, helping us to be and do in our world all that we can. We are strengthened, we are equipped, we can overcome... because we have the One who will help us. Hebrews 12:4 the Message Bible:
"... When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story
again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.
That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"
Run your race! You can and you will finish!
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