“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Heb 12:1 AV)
The cloud of witnesses are those who lived by faith in rather dramatic ways as listed in the previous chapter. Their lives were meant to be a motivation for the New Testament saint. As we read of their deep faith in God, we are encouraged to do the same. It must be remembered they were not perfect. They had their moments. They also had times of doubt and disobedience. That, by the way, is the weight and the sin. The weight is doubt and the sin is the besetting sin that we tend to allow to get the better of us. Patience is not discouraged because it fails to see immediate results. Patience overcomes without becoming discouraged. As stated before, the men and women listed in the previous chapter had their moments. Abraham doubted God and fathered a child with Hagar. Daniel was missing in the fiery furnace. Moses had an anger issue. David committed adultery. As we study the previously listed saints of the previous chapter, we will find chinks in their armor. They were not perfect. But what they did have was character enough not to live in defeat and trust God with forgiveness, guidance, character, and provision. Their faith was modeled by patience. Not perfection.
Although we could choose any one of the saints mentioned in the last chapter, Gideon comes to mind. Here was a man who one would not think of as a stalwart of faith. He was the one who proved God with a fleece. Twice. He was the one who would not confront his father’s idolatry in the daylight. He went in the middle of the night so as not to get caught. Gideon fled from his father when his father discovered what he had done. Yet, when push came to shove, Gideon was the one who went up against tens of thousands of the enemy with only six hundred men. When we think of a warrior who is the greatest example of faith, we think of Samson. He slew hundreds with the jawbone of an ass. Samson killed thousands by pulling down the center pillars of a banquet house. The problem was, that Samson had a problem with the ladies. Those of ill-repute to be exact. Yet he is listed among those who had great faith. In each example of the previous chapter, it is hard to find anyone who is perfect in character. There simply isn’t one. You would be sore-pressed to find anyone who didn’t falter even a little bit in their faith. This is not discouraging. It is encouraging.
When I read the commandment appearing above, I often crucify myself beyond usefulness. I think of all that I have done or failed to do and believe the race is already lost. But I, like most, have to remember patience is the key. Laying aside doubt and disobedience, we still have to run with patience. Why? Because from time to time, the weight and sin will cling once again. Then, like we did before, we must lay it aside. Patience! Getting up when we have fallen, the book of Proverbs tells us, is the mark of a righteous person. A righteous person is not practically perfect. That is not likely to be us until we are glorified. But if we get up after we have tripped up, then we are considered righteous. So, plow on! Continue the race no matter how much you have failed. Believe God to empower you to the finish line! Lay aside doubt and disobedience. Get up on your feet and pick up the pace. Keep your eyes on Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith. Not giving up is the key. Patience. Run. Lay aside. Run again.
No comments:
Post a Comment