Faith as a Race!

The transition from Hebrews chapter 11 to 12 is one of encouragement not discouragement. Chapter 11 was not written to compare heroes of the faith to those suffering Christians in Rome or to us. It is a declaration of the faithful work of God in the lives of all of His children. Raymond Brown, Ours is a strenuous race demanding steady perseverance. We must surely be encouraged by the fact that we are surrounded by former contestants who are witnesses to us of the faithfulness of God.

Verses 1-2 of Hebrews 12 call Christians to an enduring life of faith. Donald Hagner, They show that it is possible to live by faith. The verses are a transition from information to application. The testimonies of the heroes of the faith demanded appropriates responses of the readers in the 1st century, and today. Let’s consider what Christians need to do in the race of faith.

We must lay aside every weight. William Barclay, No one would attempt to climb Mount Everest weighed down with a whole load of unnecessary baggage. If we want to travel far, we must travel light. There is in life an essential duty to discard things. There may be habits, pleasures, self-indulgences or associations which hold us back. We must shed them as athletes take off their tracksuits when they go to the starting blocks; and often we will need the help of Christ to enable us to do so. The weight to be discarded is different for every Christian. It is the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God through prayer that unnecessary weights become obvious. Ray Stedman, Each runner must honestly judge what hinders faith for him or her and resolutely lay it aside, even though others seem to be unhindered by the same thing.

We must lay aside . . . sin which clings so closely. Consider Hebrews 3:13, But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Ray Stedman, Do not take God’s Word lightly. Do not excuse any sin as all right for you, but forbidden to others. Do not feel you can evade God’s discipline or judgment. Don’t play games with sin because it will win.

We must run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 10:36, For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. The Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. Make the commitment that a life in Christ is for the long-haul. Warren Wiersbe, One of the best ways to develop endurance and encouragement is to get to know the godly men and women of the Old Testament who ran the race and won. If you are having problems with your family, read about Joseph. If you think your job is too big for you, study the life of Moses. If you are tempted to retaliate, see how David handled this problem. Take to heart the words of Ray Stedman, The race, of course, is life itself . . . We are all here for a purpose, and that purpose is to live our lives in fulfillment of God’s intent for us.

The words of verse 2 transition from application back to observation. Our supreme example of faith is Jesus. We are to submit to Jesus because of Who He is. The writer of Hebrews says we are to look to Jesus. That word used for looking is that which means to deliberately look away from other things. Our focus is to be on Jesus because He is the founder of our faith. We are in the heavenly race because of Who Jesus is, fully God and fully man, what He did, made payment for our sins, and what He is doing, interceding for us at the throne of God.

Also, Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. Raymond Brown, He brings the faith of the former saints (11:40) and ours to triumphant completion. He makes it all perfect and he alone. Our moral integrity is essential, but that cannot bring our faith to completion. Our devoted service is valuable, but that cannot perfect our faith. Our spiritual experiences can be inspiring and illuminating, but Jesus is faith’s only consummator. Paul clearly pictures our utter dependence upon Jesus in Philippians 1:6, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We are to follow Jesus’ example of faith. Jesus viewed His journey to Golgotha as joyous. John 17:4, I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. The Christian life is a struggle but it still should be joyous. Who else has the words of eternal life? Who else shows us that the journey to heaven is available for all who place trust in Jesus alone? Who else gives meaning to life in a world that is meaningless for so many?

Jesus endured suffering and shame for us. Philippians 2:8, And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Raymond Brown, When we feel that we cannot summon another ounce of energy for ‘the race that is set before us,' we must think of the race that was set before him. He endured, though his course was incomparably more difficult than ours. Jesus triumphed and, in his strength, so can we.

Jesus finished His journey and is seated at the Father’ right hand. Hebrews 10:12, But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Raymond Brown, His redemptive work complete, he waits for the consummation of the ages and for the great moment when every tongue shall confess his lordship. Jesus completed His task and He will enable us to complete ours which is being conformed to His image.

Join the study of Hebrews under the Books of the Bible tab. The wonderful instruction from the Epistle to the Hebrews contains application needed for the race before us.