Running The Christian Race - Heb 12 vs. 1

The Christian life has been compared to a race. It’s not like a short sprint that requires a sudden burst of energy and then it’s over. It is more like a marathon which is long and at times painful.

The Author in Hebrews reminds us that in this race we need to get rid of the things that will hinder us and the sin that so easily entangles us. (Heb 12 -1)

We cannot run a marathon with heavy loads on our back and our feet cannot be shackled and entangled with weight. Unfortunately, many of us insist on running this race in those conditions.

What are the bad conditions? Sometimes in can be the weight of having wrong friends, bad relationships and down right sin in our lives. We know what it is.. We wonder why we are so tired, why can’t I stay excited about serving God, why is it always such a battle for me to pray and read the word? Most of us know the answer to this question!

In a race we have to begin well. We know that we by grace through faith in Jesus Christ can run a great race if we follow the road map. (Bible)

Paul wrote this: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11)

What this passage is saying is that in order for us to run this race well, the foundation of our faith must be the Lord Jesus Christ. How we live today can impact whether we run the race well. If we desire to see the finish line we can’t keep stopping to look back. We need to let go of our past and concentrate and focus on the Lord who will give us the strength we need to run well now and in the future.

If we let go of the things that are not meaningful and helpful, we are in a better position to move forward, making the run a little easier. Those things to name a few could be; anger, bitterness, pride, selfishness, bad relationships, bad choices, etc.,