"Running the Race"

“Running the Race”

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.      Hebrews 12:1

 

The Author of Hebrews, whom I believe to be the Apostle Paul, is speaking to the TRUE BELIEVERS, especially in this chapter.  He is comparing our walk with the Lord to a foot race.  He says that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, in my opinion, I believe what the Author was indicating is:  This ‘cloud of witnesses’ were the Old Testament Saints, from chapter eleven, those who had ALL been commended for their faith, and because they were witnesses of God’s POWER and LOVE, which they experienced first-hand, they knew about the RACE, and they were EXAMPLES of what PERSERVERANCE and a STRONG FAITH can do to help us be VICTORIOUS, and to win the CROWN that awaits those who are FAITHFUL to the END.  I do not believe that they are up in Heaven watching us run our race, but their PERSERVERANCE and FAITHFULNESS serves as an example to us and to our success in this RACE we have before us. 

 

The Author tells us that we NEED to THROW OFF everything that hinders us, and ALL the sin that so easily entangles us.  In other words, DO NOT look BACK, but PRESS ON towards the goal we have before us.  We are to run with, PERSERVERANCE and FAITHFULNESS the race that is marked out for us and we are to FIX our eyes on JESUS, who is the PIONEER AND PERFECTER of FAITH.  It is ONLY through Him that we are even able to PARTICIPATE in this RACE.  He has PIONEERED and PERFECTED FAITH, and ONLY through the ACCEPTANCE of His SACRIFICE for the SALVATION of MANKIND, are we able to RUN and WIN. 

 

In order to be VICTORIOUS, we MUST FIX our eyes on Him, and NOT WAIVER or become UNFAITHFUL in our relationship with Him.  We MUST RUN to WIN, and NOT GIVE UP, but to PRESS ON towards the prize that is set before us.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are NOT even in the RACE, but you are headed down the wrong track.  You are HEADED for HELL, and the ONLY prize that is awaiting you is UNENDING torment, torture, pain, agony, heartache and despair, unless, you come to God, NOW, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be a VICTORIOUS RUNNER in the RACE for the PRIZE that AWAITS you in HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!