Join Us

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

The epistle of Hebrews was addressed to Jewish Christians - possibly “a mixed multitude” - to warn them against apostasy to Judaism.  Sorely tried in their afflictions and persecutions, the believers were in danger of falling away.  Exhorting them to remain steadfast, the writer, Apostle Paul, went  into an extended account of the nature and effects of faith.  Paul’s design was to : 1) show that faith or confidence in the Divine promises, has been in all ages, the means of perseverance in the Christian’s walk with the Lord;  and 2) encourage the suffering believers to trust in the Lord in the midst of their afflictions.

 In the previous chapter, Chapter 11 – rightly called “The Hall of Faith” - the Apostle illustrated the nature and power of faith.  Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye.   It is an acceptance of all that God has revealed, as holy, just, and good.  No man was present to witness the Creation; it must be accepted by faith:  “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (v. 3).   To the believer, the fact is clear and simple – God, by His Word,  called all things into existence.  If this vast universe has been called into existence by the mere word of God, there is nothing which we may not believe He has ample power to perform. 

This view of faith is also explained by the illustrious examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, and triumphed gloriously by their faithful perseverance.  In these illustrations, Paul referred to the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Rahab in particular, and then to numerous other examples without mentioning their names.  Through their faith, these men and women pleased God though they did not receive the promises during their lifetime (v. 39).  True faith persists unto the end. 

To further encourage them on to perseverance in the Christian conflict, Paul appealed to the example of the Saviour Who bore the contradiction of sinners, endured the cross, resisted unto blood, striving against sin, and is now exalted at the right hand of God (12: 2-4).

In the opening verses of Hebrews 12, the Apostle compared the Christian life to a race.  Let us consider the first two verses and see what precious lessons we can learn :

I.  We have a race to run.
II.  Learn from past examples of faith.
III.  Lay aside every weight.
IV.  Run with patience.
V.  Look continually unto Jesus.

I. We have a race to run.

It is evident from verse 1 that, on our own, we can never save ourselves nor gain a place in Heaven.  It is all by grace (Eph. 2: 8-9).  However, we must take up the cross and follow our Lord.  We must be prepared to face obstacles along life’s way.  Christians are constantly warring with the flesh, the world and the devil.  Many will be the conflicts within and without; there will be fears, snares to be avoided, temptations to be resisted, sinful habits to overcome.

“Oh what a condemnation there is here for all those easy-going people who seem to think they may pass their time as they please, and yet be numbered with the saints in glory everlasting! Are those who show less earnestness about their souls than about their earthly amusements, and those who have much to tell you about this world’s business but nothing about Heaven, and those who think nothing of neglecting the commonest helps towards Zion, and count it much to give religion a few Sunday thoughts—are these men running the Christian race, and straining every nerve after the prize? I leave the answer with yourselves: judge what I say!” – J C Ryle.

Beloved, let us be mindful that we are in the Christian race.  May we not be idle and rest by the wayside.  Let us not trifle with temptation.  Let us run the race set before us as if it were a matter of life and death.  Fix our hearts and minds upon the narrow path of righteousness that leads to life everlasting.  The crown awaits all who not only begin well, but end well (II Tim. 4: 8).  Let us urge each other on and finish the course with joy!  (… to be continued)