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 “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)

To encourage them to persevere in their faith, the apostle Paul reminded the Jewish Christians in the opening verses of Chapter 12 that they were running a race of faith.  Many will be the obstacles and distractions along the way.  There will be the conflicts within and without, times of doubts, moments of fears.  There will be worldly snares to be avoided, manifold temptations to be resisted and sinful habits to overcome.  True faith, however, endures to the end.

 II.  Learn from past examples of faith.

“We also are encompassed about with so great a great cloud of witnesses.” The witnesses spoken of here are the Old Testament saints mentioned in Chapter 11.  In these illustrations, Paul referred to the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and then to numerous other nameless examples.  By their faith, these men and women pleased God; though they did not receive the promises during their lifetime, they looked forward with “eyes of faith” (vv 6, 39). 

These ancient worthies were people of like passions, yet, by grace, they overcame.   By faith, they “obtained a good report;” by faith they lived as strangers and pilgrims upon the earth, not setting their minds on earthly blessings but looking forward to the glorious day of Christ.  By faith, they “quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens …  others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth”  (Heb. 11: 33-38).

The world, the flesh and the devil can never overwhelm the weakest Christian whose face is  set towards God.  These saints of old suffered much, yet not one perished—they all safely reached their heavenly home.   Like the  apostle Paul, they could confidently declare, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4: 7).  Take courage, fainting Christian: we are encompassed with a great cloud of witnesses!  Throughout Church history, men and women had struggled against all odds, yet they had been used mightily of God to accomplish the work of the Gospel. The Reformers, exercising faith and courage, stood fearless against their enemies.  No fiery flame or devouring sword could daunt their spirit, nor quench their zeal of faith.  With God as their focus, they completed their course in triumph.

Multitudes have gone before us.  Let us take courage from their examples of faith.    Are we weak and frail earthen vessels?  So were they.   Are we exposed to temptation and burdened with this body of corruption?  So were they.  Are we afflicted?  So were they.  Are we rejected and ridiculed for our faith?  So were they.  What can we possibly be called upon to suffer which they have not endured?  What consolations did they receive which we may not enjoy?   Let us revive our sagging spirit and, like them, press on faithfully till Jesus returns!

III.  Lay aside every weight.

In the Christian race, we must give up everything which is detrimental to our souls.  Above all, we must lay aside the sin which doth most easily beset us - the sin which possesses the greatest power over us.   Each of us has some besetting infirmities which hinder us far more than others.   One man is beset with lust, another with an evil temper, another with a love for strong drink, another with pride, another with a lying tongue, another with a self-righteous spirit, another with covetousness, another with an unforgiving heart, another with worldliness, another with slothfulness, another with addiction to gambling, computer games/pornography.  These habits are besetting sins that hinder our spiritual growth.     When confronting these sinful habits, let us not excuse ourselves by saying: “I cannot help it.  I’m born that way.   You have to accept me for what I am.  Do not expect me to change.”

Is there some pet sin or habit which we have tenderly spared because we cannot part with it or we think it does not really matter.   Beloved, do not underestimate the seriousness of sin.  Lustful desires and sinful tendencies flow from the corruption of our depraved nature, and produce destructive results. James warned,   “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas. 1: 14-15). 

Let us put away from us anything that might encumber or hinder us in the Christian race.  Mortify the deeds of the body, crucify our affections for this world (Col. 3).  “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13: 14).   Resist the first risings of the flesh and its pleasures.  Flee from it.  Check the factors that precipitate our sinful habit.  Is there a consistent pattern of circumstances that lead us into it?  Determine to lay aside every sin as if it were a millstone about our necks.  Away with everything which keeps us back or slows us down in the race of faith.  We cannot afford to carry weight, if we are contending for eternal life!  (… to be continued)