Running The Race

The New Testament often compares the Christian life to a race (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Gal. 5:7; Phil. 2:16; 2 Tim. 2:5; 1 Peter 4:4). Hebrews 12:1, we are told that a great a cloud of witnesses is up in heaven watching us run the race (11:4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31, 32). These witnesses are believers who have already successfully ran their race and in the heaven watching our race down here on earth.

There are two words found often in the book of Hebrews,'let us.
Let us: fear, labor, hold fast,come boldly, go on, draw near, without waver, provoke love, lay aside weight and sin, with patience, have grace, bear reproach, praise GOD continually.
Hebrews 4:1,11,14,16; 6:1; 10:22,23,24; 12:1a,1b,28; 13:13,15.

1. LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT.
   What are these weights? These things may not be sinful but they hinder you from growing spiritually. (Heb. 12:1).
   Proverbs 22:24.

The sin of unbelief is the constantly besetting sin. Hebrews 12 is a continuation of Hebrews 11, which is all about faith (11:1).
All known sin must be dealt with. Repentance is essential. (John 5:14).

2. LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE.
   The apostle Paul referred to his race as a course, and he was determined to stay the course. (Acts 20:24)
   2 Tim. 4:7,8.

We need patience (Heb. 10:36). "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God.”…”

3. LET US LOOK UNTO JESUS.
   Looking away from this world and all it has to offer, and looking unto Jesus (12:2).

Our Lord has been down this course, and where the obstacles are, and He will guide our steps.

Hebrews 2:10, where our Lord is called the captain of our salvation.