Sunday, 21st May 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: RUN WITH ENDURANCE
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What is this great cloud of witnesses?
- What are these weight and sin which cling so closely?
Hebrews 11 lists many Old Testament saints who lived exemplary lives. They overcame all odds to fulfill God's will for their lives. They longed for "the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God." This was their overarching pursuit. They endangered their lives for the sake of this one pursuit. They gave up all God's material blessings to follow the one who called them. They were tortured, sawn asunder, and afflicted, but they never gave up their one conviction.
Hebrews' writer gives an iconic tribute to these saints, "of whom the world was not worthy." This world, in all its beauty, was not worthy of them.
Our focus scripture calls these Saints "a cloud of witnesses." This verse always brings to mind a packed stadium. Cheering on the players on the field is the stadium crowd's sole duty. We are told here that these saints surround us. I believe they cheer us on anytime we read about them. They do so because “God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect (Heb. 11:40).”
We are to "lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely" because this cloud of witnesses is watching and cheering us on.
To gain an edge, the athlete makes sure his clothes don't weigh him down. Paul compares the Christian life to a race and advises us to play by the rules. Some examples of such weights are the cares and pleasures of the world, riches, honors, and such. Though not sins, these tend to distract us from the most important thing. He also mentions the sin that clings so closely. An example of this is lust, which is so close for comfort. The writer suggests we avoid anything that will drag us back in this race. He advises us to persevere in this race. Prayer, Bible study, fasting, fellowship, etc. must be practiced patiently by Christians.
Beloved in Christ, the objective of every Christian is to seek the city whose maker and builder is God.
We must be as determined as the Old Testament saints to pursue this priority. The hope of getting there is the example of our forebears who have gone ahead of us; if they made it, then we are well able to. Their example remains with us. Their motivation is always before us. They gave up everything, including the weight and sins, to be with the Lord in joy. All Christians have been saved to run this race. Some are competing without rules. They indulge themselves in all kinds of things against the recommendation to lay those aside. As you have resolved to lay aside all the weights and the sins that are close in order to run this race, God's blessings will flood your life. It is by running according to the rules that we exit this earth with joy. God bless you.
FURTHER READING – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Do you still have pleasure and indulge yourself in the things of the world?
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, by your Holy Spirit, I receive help to compete by the rules of the race you have set before me. I affirm that from hence I am being conscious to lay aside any weight and the sins that are close. I am patient in practicing the Christian disciplines in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Joshua 7; Isaiah 11; 2 Thessalonians 3
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