RUNNING THE CHRISTIAN RACE!
By Doug Pierce
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.” Hebrews 12:1
RUNNING THE CHRISTIAN RACE!
I ran track in the 9th grade. I ran on the 440-relay team. When I ran, I wore lightweight shorts, a lightweight tank top and track shoes. Our coach made sure we were all dressed appropriately so that we could run as fast possible, with no added weight to slow us down and hinder us in the race. The writer of Hebrews describes the Christian life to that of running a long distance race. He says we’re to run the spiritual race that’s “set before us” with patience (endurance). The Christian race is not a sprint. It’s a life long run. Our verse for today places emphasis on making sure we lay aside any and everything that might weigh us down spiritually. You see, we cannot win the race before us carrying a load of baggage that eventually will wear us down and cause us to drop out.
GET RID OF THE WEIGHTS!
In my years as a pastor, I have found that many Christians are not doing well in the race that is set before them. They are not winning. They are discouraged and tired and ready to throw in the towel. What is the problem? It’s like they are trying to run the race with a 100 pound pack on their back. Listen, the fastest man in the world (Usain Bolt) couldn’t beat a 9th grader if he were hauling an extra 100 pounds on his back.
QUESTION: What weights are you carrying that are bogging you down and hindering your progress?
- Many carry around the weight of guilt and shame. They have sinned greatly in the past, and they cannot seem to escape the torment of the guilt. They do well in spurts, but then the thought of that terrible sin, that divorce, that abortion, that horrible thing they did pulls them back down.
What are we to do with our past sins? Get them out in the open and under Jesus’ blood. When you openly repent and confess your sins to God, believe Him for total and complete cleansing.
Quit elevating your sin over His blood. The Lord promises in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Believe His promise to forgive you, accept it and go on your way rejoicing (1 John 1:9)!
- Many carry around the weight of resentment and bitterness. The world is full of angry, bitter people. These folks have been hurt, mistreated, laughed at, and wronged. And as a result many are horribly angry and miserably bitter inside. This is one of the root causes of all of the violence and hatred we see taking place across this country today. Someone has said, “Hurt people hurt people!” We must never give place to bitterness in or hearts as believers. The Bible says, Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Heb. 12:14).
Bitterness is the result of refusing to forgive. Bitterness is a weight that MUST be laid aside. If not, you will never, ever win the race. Jesus said, “If you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive you” (Matthew 6:15). John Wesley said when we refuse to forgive someone, we “burn the bridge over which we must pass.” To be unforgiving is unforgivable. You cannot function in the Christian life if the Lord will not forgive. You must forgive those who have hurt you. The biblical meaning of forgiveness is a financial term that means “to cancel a debt.” If we’re not careful we can carry around an IOU in our hearts towards that person who has wronged us. When you do that, who’s the one in debt? *It is with great cost when we choose to not forgive. Forgive them …let it go! Ask the Lord to give you the strength to obey Him. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).
- Many carry around the weight of sadness and loss. Losing something or someone you love is undoubtedly hard. Your heartbreaks and it is difficult to go on. But you must move forward. God still has a plan for you. Life still holds meaning.
You cannot live in the past; you must live in the present. The Bible says there is a time to mourn and a time to cry. But then there is a time to move on. David lost a son when he was a baby. His heart ached for that sick little boy. He prayed and fasted for a week for his healing. But healing never came, and the baby died. What did David do? He went on with life. He said in effect, “My child is dead. I cannot bring him back again. God wants me to get up and get on with life” (2 Samuel 12:23).
No matter how much you may have lost, your life is not over until the Lord calls you home. Quit focusing on what you ONCE had, and focus on what you DO have. Praise God for the little, because He does not owe you any. If you have breath in your lungs today, it is a gift from God. Praise Him for it!
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
The time is now to lay aside the weights we so often carry around with us. The time is now to get rid of the guilt and the bitterness and start living in the present. If you will do it, you will run unhindered. You will run victoriously. And one day, you will meet the Lord at the finish line. He will be there to greet you saying with tremendous love and joy, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of the Lord!”
Think it over…
Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren. To find out more about Doug‘s ministry visit the FIMC Website
Feature by Kazys Paulauskas on Flickr
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