Let Us Run With Endurance The Race God Has Set Before Us

HEBREWS 12:1-2
“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 ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/heb.12.1-2.nkj

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This great cloud of witnesses is not only the people of this world today who need to see Christ in us, but is also talking about those people in chapter 11, all those who have finished their race in victory.
Their faithfulness is a constant encouragement to us. Every struggle we face and more have been overcome by others of faith. We are not the first to face hardships; others have run even harder races of faith and won.
So like long-distance runners who weigh themselves down in training to build themselves up in strength and endurance, we have to work hard in our Christian life, facing the testing of our faith head on. The truth is, where there’s no pain, there’s no gain.
But on the day the race, the runner wears light clothes to minimise the weight he carries so he can run with endurance and power.
Like the runner, we need to lay aside every weight that hinders our race. That is to say choose godly friends that are too committed to the race. Wrong friends may drag you back into unnecessary worldly activities. Their views, values, and actions often bring heavy weight. So choose carefully who you run with; even the constant negativity that comes from some Christians can be an unnecessary weight that will drag you down, even cause you to slip back.
It means dropping certain worldly activities that ensnare us, confessing sin, and getting the help we need to overcome the addictions that disable us, such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, or pornography. In means removing the strongholds the devil has placed in our hearts with his lies, and removing the fear that holds us back. These are all of the devil and he wants you to hide them. But the truth is, by admitting your need and asking for help, you immediately remove the devil from the situation and put yourself on a path of freedom. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Only then my beloved, are then free to hear and obey the Holy Spirit clearly and without hindrance; He shall then strengthen you, remove all shame, and lead you into the victory; after all, this is Jesus story. He is the author and the finisher, He concludes the finish, and He will carry you over the finish line into victory and that great cloud of witnesses will see Christ in you as you run your race into the victory.
Being a good Christian involves hard work.
It requires us to let go of everything that hinders our relationship with God. That’s not always easy, but absolutely necessary to run with endurance and battle against sin and darkness with the power of the Holy Spirit. Living effectively, only comes by remaining focused on Jesus. When we look away from Him to ourselves, or even toward the storm we are facing we will start to sink.
Peter, when focused on Christ walked upon the water in the greatest of stormy seas, but when he heard the wind he was distracted and immediately started to sink. But Jesus reached out, took his hand and led him back to the boat and then calmed the storm (MATHEW 14:22-33).
Jesus is never far away, when you are overwhelmed by the storm, Jesus is in arms reach to take your hand and lead you back to safety and calm the storm.
My beloved, the truth is, the victory is already yours through Christ who strengthens you (1 CORINTHIANS 15:57).
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.