RACE TO SOMEWHERE

December 11, 2013

RACE TO SOMEWHERE

Hebrews 12:1-13

Cindy Campion

Central Truth

God's love and discipline is proof positive that we are on the right track and in the right race!

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

1 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, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

The first verse of today's passage tells us to "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us." There have been times in this race that my sin has clung to me. When I tried to find life and security in the things of this world, I was running on sinking sand. In other times, my sin didn't feel so heavy at first because it started as a good thing but ultimately became an idol in my life. The result was the same: my sin began to entangle me. God has shown me in the last few years how my thoughts can be sinful even if my words and actions are not. God desires us to lay aside these sins, which means to confess and repent of them. The good news is that He always forgives us (1 John 1:9)!

Every parent can relate to the next part of today's passage. In verses 6 and 10, we read that God disciplines those He loves and that it is "for our good." This is part of our sanctification process. God loves us and desires us to become holy like Him (1 Peter 1:15-16). In order for us to become like Him, He disciplines us. God has disciplined me in that I have had to endure the consequences of sinful decisions I made years ago. Whether we are suffering from the consequences of our own sin, from consequences of other people's sin in our lives, or from the reality of this fallen world we live in, God desires to use these painful situations to shape us to become more like Him.

Verses 12 and 13 (NIV) encourage us to "strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees," as well as to "make level paths for your feet." God gives us strength for this race (Isaiah 40:29-31, Philippians 4:13) and gives us a straight and level path to run on. Praying that we all run this race together and at the finish line are able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7, NIV).

1. To lay aside sin, we must be aware of the sin in our life. Have you asked God to reveal the sin in your life (Psalm 139:23-34)?

2. God does not desire for us to run this race alone. Do you have someone running alongside you today, spurring you on "to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24)?

3. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Do you have your eyes fixed on someone or something other than Jesus?

4. Think of a time in your life when God disciplined you. Have you considered thanking Him for the love He shows through discipline?