October 2007
The Bible often compares our pursuit of God with running a race. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul writes,
“ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway .”
We want to pursue God, but we also need to know that we are doing so the right way. We want to “run in such a way that we might win.”
The writer of Hebrews paints a graphic and motivating picture for us of what it means to pursue the Lord. Hebrews 12:1-2a states,
“ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, (1) let us lay aside every weight , (2) and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and (3) let us run with patience the race that is set before us , (4) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith …”
Just imagine that you've trained to run a marathon, you're fit, you're ready and you're determined to win. As you stand at the starting line, thousands of expectant eyes focused on you, cheering spectators all along the route, what are you going to do? How are you going to run? In this passage we have four keys, each of which emphasizes an essential element to a victorious walk of faith, or as verse 1 puts it, the race we are all running.
First, He says, “ lay aside every weight …” Ancient runners would do everything possible to ensure they had complete freedom of movement during their race. Indeed, it would be a foolish person who would run a marathon in combat boots! In the same way, if we are going to please God in our personal race we must remove anything from our lives that would slow us down. Notice that he says “ weight ” and not “ sin ” (that comes next.) What is it in your life right now that is an encumbrance to your Christian journey as you pursue after God? Maybe it's not wrong ‘per se' but it is slowing you down. He says you must lay it aside if you're going to run to win.
Second, we are also called to lay aside “ the sin which doth so easily beset us… ” The word ‘beset' means to become entangled in something. In the context of this section of Hebrews, this most likely refers specifically to the sin of unbelief, not trusting in God and taking Him at His word in any given situation. Surely unbelief will trip us in our race and bring our progress to a dead stop. Have you ever seen a runner trip and fall? Maybe you've been that runner. That is what unbelief will do in the Christian life. When we reflect on sin generally though, we quickly realize that all sin is rooted in unbelief, and at the very core, our choices to rebel against the Lord are made because we doubt Him and His goodness. If we are going to run our race to win, then we must lay aside the sin of unbelief that so easily entangles us, for “ without faith it is impossible to please God .” Hebrews 11:6
The third key we are given is that we are to “ run with patience… ” The Christian race isn't a 100-meter dash; it's a marathon. It isn't won with a sudden burst of energy that is quickly spent but rather through slow and steady progress of continuing on, step-by-step, putting one foot in front of the other and staying on the course. How many times I've seen “sprinters” who are no longer in the race! For that one who wins, no matter how many times he might trip or stumble, he always gets back on the course and continues on because the race consists of a whole lots of individual steps all going in the same direction. Every day we must choose to keep taking those steps toward God in our pursuit of Him.
Lastly we are instructed to continue “ Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… ” He is the origin, the example, the champion and the finisher of our faith. When we focus on Him rather than other people, we will begin to see those encumbrances and entangling sins in our lives. And as God continues performing that ‘good work' of sanctification He has begun in us (Phil. 1:6), we will also find increasing strength and endurance so that we won't grow weary and lose heart in our race. Friends, we simply MUST remain focused on Jesus. We MUST have a proper view of God and hence, a proper view of ourselves, or else we won't see life from His perspective. Therefore, personal time with God is essential every day, for if I truly want to know Him, I will pursue Him.