The Race of faith and dedication

(Hebrew 12:1) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (NKJV)


Christians are to reflect on the word of God found in the letter of Hebrews and have the courage to continue struggling even to the point of death. Our sufferings now are the affectionate correction of God our father who loves us His children so much.
Our Christian life is to be inspired by the men and women of faith in the Old Testament,  “the great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrew 11:39). But above all, it must be inspired by Jesus himself who endured the cross before receiving His triumph.

THE INSPIRATION TO LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT. There is this heaviness that presses us down and others also although its overpowering force only has measureable influence. Peter lists these as malice, deceit, hypocrisy and evil speaking (1 Peter 2:1) James illustrate this as “all filthiness and an overflow of wickedness” (James 1:21) while Paul refers to it as “our former conduct” (Ephesians 4:20). Next, we should be determined to put down the hesitations of our faith in Jesus, “ang walay katinoan nga pagkinabuhi uban ang pagtoo kang Kristo” (1 Corinthians 9:26). Paul, in Philippians 3:13, gave an idea about his example of “forgetting those things which are behind and reach forward to those things ahead.”

THE INSPIRATION TO LAY ASIDE EVERY SIN. These sins are often our serious shortcomings, so reprehensible that we deserve strong criticism. Colossians 2:8 refers to this as the philosophy (which include the way of life, values, belief or any idea and attitude) and dishonesty according to the world’s practice or tradition, not according to Christ’s, on whom we must rather be rooted and built up.

Paul, in his letter to the young Timothy, wrote about the attraction of having the desire to be rich along with foolish and harmful lusts that brings men into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9). Likewise, the Christian must consider as evil the heart of unbelief or skeptism to the living God as one of the sins he must do away (Hebrew 3:12)

In summary, the burdens and sin that clings to us easily distracts us from making good sense of our faith in God. Christians should be free from such restraints as we make ourselves free for service—a possibility of constructive activity. Our position as Christians demand running with endurance coupled with total dedication to God (1 Timothy 6:12), running with aim (1 Corinthians 9:24) and continue our pursuit toward our goal (Philippians 3:14) to arrive in perfect spiritual maturity. AMEN


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