Running the Race

Running the Race

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.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Hebrews 12:1-3

It’s our turn!  Having given unto us the stirring example of the saints of God to whose lives he refers in Hebrews 11, the writer of Hebrews next challenges us.  He challenges us on the basis of the ‘cloud of witnesses’ who are now gathered in heaven like a great throng of spectators in a sports arena.  We are in the spotlight!  We have become the recipients of a legacy of Godly faithfulness which, by the grace of God, we must uphold.  This text presents us with a call to self-denial.  It is a call from the Master which entails one laying aside ‘every weight;’ that is, even things which may be in themselves legitimate, but which would hinder us from going on with Christ as we ought.  There is, as well, that ‘sin which doth so easily beset us,’ which, lest we also lay it aside, will hinder us from running as we should.

Before us the course is laid out.  It is a race course; that is, there are others who also run.  It is a course that is both straight and narrow.  As we run, we want to pay close attention to the guidelines set before us by the Great Master of the Race. How heartbreaking would it be for us to irreparably damage our usefulness, because of carelessness or refusal to countenance those Divinely ordained parameters.  There is also the eternal joy that Christ Himself contemplated as He endured the toughest part of the ‘race,’ the cross. Certainly our motivation should arise from our contemplation of Christ, Who would not permit anyone, or anything to deter Him from accomplishing His appointed task of redemption.

The blessed encouragement is that we have Christ to Whom we can continually look.  He is not only our Savior but also our Great Example.  His endurance, and our vital union with Him, gives us the greatest of hope for our own ‘patience.’  We must look to Jesus first, look to Jesus fully, and look to Jesus finally to succeed in running this glorious race of the Christian life unto a joyful conclusion.

By Your grace, Lord

may we be able 

to say to the last,

“I have finished my course.”

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice