-July 27, 2020-
Good morning, happy Monday,
-Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us-
“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 run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
(Hebrews 12:1).
In NT times, Paul and the other writers were very familiar with athletics. The Greeks in particular competed in boxing, wrestling, and running events. To compete in such events took tremendous discipline, hard work, commitment, and endurance.
The writer of Hebrews tells us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” In order to do this we must, “lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us.” No runner wants to carry in any extra weight that would slow him or her down. The same is true in the Christian life.
In our lives, we must lay aside or throw off any weight that hinders us and every sin which easily ensnares us. The goal is to run long and strong, finish the course, and win the race. Jesus is running with us as our coach and trainer, who leads the way and we follow Him all the way to the finish line. In Hebrews 12:2 it says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:24-25,”Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate (or self controlled) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” The athletes that won the race in Paul’s day were awarded a wreath of leaves that did not last but withered. The crowns which we will receive from the Lord last forever.
This is why at the end of Paul’s life he wrote to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
May the Lord help us to run the race that is set before us with endurance, commitment, dedication, self-control, and perseverance. In order to do this we must lay aside every weight and every sin. We can almost see the finish line ahead and we must finish the race strong.
Have a blessed day running the race. Stay safe and healthy.
Dean
Paul in particular, likened our Christian life. He wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, “
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 