Run The Race

There is more to being a Christian than getting saved and going to church on Sunday, that’s just the beginning! The title of this message is taken from Hebrews chapter 12 verse 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 ensares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”. In verse 2, Jesus is given to us as the example to follow, for He is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus came to earth to give us life and at that, life more abundant (John 10:10). His task was to live a life in complete obedience to the Heavenly Father, so that His sinless blood could be shed to pay for our sins, and in doing so offer salvation to all mankind, (John 3:17 and John 1:12 KJV).

In Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus tells His disciples that to be His disciple one must deny himself and take up their cross and follow Him. For if one would save his life he will lose it, but if one loses his life for Jesus’s sake he will find it. So what is the Lord talking about here? The goal is to become like Jesus and carry on His mission, which is all about showing others how to be saved from their sins and teaching them to share that with others. To start our race we must first lay aside every weight and the sin that ensares us. What are weights? This is anything in ones life that detracts from our main objective, that is, following Jesus. These are not sinful things of themselves, but things that keep us from focusing on what’s truly important. In the book of Philippians chapter 2 verse 5 we are told to let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Jesus humbled Himself before the Heavenly Father and became obedient to the point of death even the death of the cross. His focus was to accomplish His Father’s will.

Lay aside the sin that so easily ensares us. This is the taking up of ones cross. The cross was an implement of death to the body. The idea is to put to death the sinful desires of the flesh and the heart. In 1st John chapter 1 verses 15 and 16 we are told not to love the world, for if we love the world we do not long the Father! All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Verse 17 tells us that the world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Taking up one’s cross is also called sanctification, which means setting apart. To set one’s self apart from the sins that one used to commit, or stop committing sin. The problem is we cannot stop sinning on our own, this is where we need the power of Holy Spirit to help us! Roman’s chapter 8 verse 13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the (Holy) Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh, you will live.” It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to break free from the sins in our lives. Seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit just like the day of Pentecost when Jesus breathed on the one hundred and twenty in the upper room and flames of fire appeared above their heads. Surrender to His leading and spend time in prayer with the Holy Spirit for He lives in you. We also need to learn God’s Word. It was Jesus High Priestly prayer to the Father (John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth Your word is truth.). Also Jesus said in John chapter 8 verse 32 “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” There is freedom from besetting sin in this life by learning the Word of God (the Bible) and developing a relationship with God in prayer. John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

The race that God has for us, is set before us, we don’t have to look for it. It will unfold before us as we follow the His leading.

So run the race of your life with all your might, that He may present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24).