Heb. 12:1

1 Wherefore [toigaroun] seeing we also [kai] are [echo] compassed about [perikeimai] [hemin] with so great [tosoutos] a cloud [nephos] of witnesses [martus], let [apotithemi] us [hemeis] lay aside [apotithemi] every [pas] weight [ogkos], and [kai] the sin [hamartia] which doth so easily beset [euperistatos] us, and let us run [trecho] with [dia] patience [hupomone] the race [agon] that is set before [prokeimai] us [hemin], KJV-Interlinear

Heb 12:1

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, NASB

We are surrounded in history, by great men and women who have seen the truths that we have just studied, and they believed in Gods promises, and persevered in their faith and trust in God.

From Adam and Eve, to Ruth, to Moses, to David and many, many more folks throughout history, the greatest people of history have seen and believed what you and I are now studying. They did not have the technologies that we have today, but then that does not matter. They walked or road donkeys, whereas we listen to Ipods and drive in cars and trucks of various models. They cooked in stone ovens while we cook in microwave ovens. The technology has changed, but the doctrine remains exactly the same today as it was back then.

Were they fools in their era? Do we know more today about truth than they did back then? Or is it the reverse? Are we the fools (if we ignore Gods Word) and were they wiser than we are today?

The spiritual life is not a sprint race to be started and finished in a few seconds, or in a day, or in a weekend, or even in a week or two of study. We do not read the Bible once and then know it all.

The spiritual life is a race. Or perhaps better stated, it is an event. We begin the event by believing in Christ. That is when our spiritual life begins. And, it concludes when we leave this world.

1 Cor. 9:24-25

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. NASB

Phil. 2:16

16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. NASB

Gal. 5:7

7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? NASB

We are to participate in our spiritual event with vigor, with persistence, with perseverance, with a strong desire to finish our race having participated in it from start to finish.

God does not expect us to believe in Christ and then set back on our smarter side, and just watch time pass by. Our race is one in which we are expected to keep on advancing toward our goal spiritual maturity.

Our race is one of endurance. It is a marathon which runs the full length of our life font. Or race is one in which we are to be constantly on our guard, spiritually speaking. We are to constantly watch our own life, confess our sins often in order to remain in the race (in fellowship). We are to constantly study, and learn, and apply what we learn to our daily life, to learn from that daily application, and keep on growing just as we do in our physical life.

When you were born to your momma, your life did not end right then and there. You grew up. You learned to tie your own shoes. You learned to read and write. You learned a skill, a trade, took on a career. You married and had children, and you learned during the process of raising a family.

You listen to the news and watch movies. You learn from life, and from your own mistakes. Even when you reach a ripe old age, you will still be learning about life. So it is with your spiritual life. Your learning will never end.

Some folks merely jog through life, some walk, and some are sitting or even lying down as their life passes them by. Don t let your spiritual opportunities pass you by in this same manner.

Race is the Greek word agon from which we get agony. Our race is not a thing of passive luxury, but is demanding, grueling, and agonizing. It requires self-discipline, determination, and perseverance. You have to want it really bad, otherwise you won t reach your spiritual goals in life.

Amos 6:1

Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria.

At the end of every race there is a winner. On this earth there is only one winner, but in Gods race we can all be winners. You can be a winner of the most fabulous prize in all of history. The winner receives the prize. The losers receive nothing but maybe a ribbon for participation.

Don t become comfortable, or passive, or indifferent in your life and miss out on your entire eternal reward.

Now is the time to post a prayer.