"Run with Endurance!"

 

“Run with Endurance!”

 

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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.     Hebrews 12:1-2

 

This great cloud of witnesses that surround us are the Old Testament Saints, who have already Run the RACE of FAITH, and PERSEVERED, thus giving WITNESS to the VALUE and BLESSING of LIVING by FAITH. They are NOT SPECTATORS, but EXAMPLES of LIVING by FAITH.  And this SHOULD MOTIVATE US and INSPIRE US to “RUN the RACE” with ENDURANCE, because of their Godly examples, which they set for us.

 

 And to RUN the RACE with ENDURANCE, we MUST LAY ASIDE EVERY encumbrance and the SIN that so easily entangles us. These encumbrances are ANYTHING that would HINDER LIVING by FAITH, the SIN is the SIN of UNBELIEF, refusing to TURN AWAY FROM our OLD SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TOTALLY TURNING to GOD, and giving up the sins that we CLING TO.  And RUNNING with ENDURANCE or PERSEVERANCE. 

 

And KEEPING OUR EYES on JESUS CHRIST, who is the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of FAITH.  The One who for the JOY set before Him ENDURED the AGONY of the CRUEL CROSS, despising the SHAME, yet KNOWING the JOY of ACCOMPLISHING the TASK of PROVIDING REDEMPTION for ALL of MANKIND.  And because of His PERSEVERANCE He assumed the GLORIOUS, TRIUMPHANT position at the RIGHT HAND of the Throne of God. 

 

This is the UTMOST EXAMPLE of RUNNING the RACE with ENDURANCE.  The TRUE BELIEVER, should KEEP their EYES on the PRIZE that is before them.  And FOLLOW the EXAMPLE of JESUS CHRIST, that they may SHARE with HIM, the JOY of their FINAL VICTORY.  Are you RUNNING THE RACE with ENDURANCE?

 

This RACE begins with SALVATION, you MUST be SAVED from your SINS, and begin LIVING by FAITH. There are MANY GOOD examples of RUNNING the RACE with ENDURANCE, but the VERY BEST example is the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who ACCOMPLISHED His RACE a VICTOR, because of His PERSEVERANCE.  You too can be a VICTOR by; TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, 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 that He is ALIVE, in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION, and RUN the RACE with ENDURANCE.  Then you can RECEIVE the inheritance of an ETERNAL HOME in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS, and be able to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  So, do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!