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, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Many had gone to a stadium to watch men compete. The runners would be cheered on by the crowd. The ‘cloud of witnesses’ that cheer us on are those of chapter 11. They have finished their race and testify before us that God is faithful. Each of them faced great adversities yet finished strong. We also can finish our race – the race of the Christian life. It begins when we got saved; and it ends when God receives us into glory.

The key word and command here is to RUN! We each have the marathon of life. We must not do as many of those the letter is written to had done. In the previous chapters we see warnings of slipping from the Word (Heb. 2:1), unbelief (Heb. 3:12), no spiritual growth (Heb. 5:12); then in this chapter we see weak hands, feeble knees, and lameness (12:12-13). Paul wrote to the Galatians that they ‘did run well’ – past tense. They had quit. Let us each run the race that God has given us to run. Don’t quit. To run well we must do the following according to Hebrews 12:1-2.

1.      Lay aside weights and sins. Instead of saying, “What’s wrong with it?”, or “Is it a sin?”, we should ask “Does it get in my way? Does it hold me back?” Or, and this is the best question, “Does it help me run?” We must spend some serious time with the Lord regarding changes we must make in our lives. There may be activities or things in our life that aren’t ‘sin’, but they aren’t helping us RUN. We also need to evaluate if our running is according to the Word of God, Psalm 119:32 - I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

2.      As we run, we look unto Jesus. He finished His race. As we look to the Author and Finisher of our faith we will stay on track and finish our race. We will finish well! Also, the joy that was set before Jesus is the joy that is set before us! As we face adversities, trials, temptations, hardships, etc., we keep our eyes on the Lord and the joy that His presence brings (Ps. 16:11).

The Apostle Paul lets us know of his running, and the need for discipline. He looked forward to the reward God had for him. What rewards are you looking forward to?  

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 - I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Ron Cox - Director of HOPE Ministry