Run!

Run!

Hebrews 12:1 AMPC

[1] THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

Again, the audience defines the expectations. God wants us to be His representatives; to be His eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart to the world around us, but He cannot place the same expectations on all of us at the same time. He knows those who belong to Him, and those who are yet to make up their minds about making a full surrender to Him. For those who are truly surrendered, the expectation is that they live in a particular way that shows that they belong to God. All who come in contact with them must also know who they are, and where their allegiance lie. Does this describe me in any way? Do men know who I am, and who I belong to? Now, it is possible to deceive men down here on earth, but would I think it is possible to also deceive God, who can see into the hearts of men and knows their deepest desires and motives? 

How would I ever think that I can play both sides: do God's bit when it is convenient, and also blend in with the culture of the world around me, when convenient? It is dangerous to live like this, especially when you consider the lives of the people that the Bible clearly lays out for us. The verse above refers to a great cloud of witnesses who have borne testimony to the Truth. These are people we read about in the Bible; men and women across different walks of life who met, walked with and worked for God with all that they had, and whose lives have now become examples that we can learn from, or in some instances, avoid the mistakes they made. One of the many reasons why the stories of these people are written down the way they are is so that we do not think they are superhuman. They are like us in every respect, but they met this God who changed their lives, and they walked with him until they crossed over into eternity with Him. 

As it was for them, so is it for us today. As they ran their own race, so do we have our own race to run. We have examples to learn from and be inspired by: men and women with weaknesses, but who trusted in the God of all grace to strengthen and help them, and He did. He is still the same God; grace is available for all who will seek Him out. Let us throw aside every weight that seeks to hold us down, and the sin that so easily entangles us, so we can run the race before us the right way. Again, God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied grace for. It is also an individual race; nobody can run on your behalf. You will meet others on the race, but you have to stay on your course. Do not let anyone or anything distract you;. The cloud of witnesses is cheering you up. As they did succeed, so shall we all, even as depend on God every step of the way. Are you running your race? God's time of favour is here.