Faith Race

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) Says, "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."

The above verse of scripture is speaking of a race of faith that is described by three modifying statements. First it is to be run by laying aside every weight. We would never enter a foot race, and opt to run it wearing the heaviest clothes we could find, or carrying heavy weights. We know that carrying heavy weights while attempting to run a race would slow us down drastically, and interfere with our running the race successfully. The same goes for our faith race. We cannot run a successful faith race carrying heavy burdens, worries, and other issues. We must go to God in prayer with all of our worries and cares, and leave them with him. There is no problem to great for Almighty God to handle.

Secondly, we cannot run a successful faith race, if we have willful sin in our lives. If we want to run a successful faith race, and be the disciples we are called by Christ to be after accepting him as our Lord and Savior, we must set aside all of our baggage. We must get rid of all the things in our lives that we know do not fit who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. We must rid ourselves of any vices, addictions, or behaviors that don't fit who we are as new creatures in Christ. These things weigh us down, and hinder our faith race.

Thirdly, we are to run our faith race with endurance and persistence. As disciples of Christ we must be strong remaining steadfast in our mission to lead as many lost souls to Him as possible. Paul is a great example of someone who ran his faith race with endurance and persistence doing so despite much suffering and persecution. In II Corinthians 11:24-25 (KJV) Paul says, "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep." This was just to list some of his sufferings he was also bitten by a snake, put in prison, and much more. My point is as disciples of Christ we will all be ridiculed and persecuted for serving Him in one way or another. We can find comfort in this, however, Jesus says in Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV) "Blessed are ye, when men persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

If you are carrying around extra weight in the form of a sin or sins that you are willfully committing, repent and turn away from them. Ask God to forgive you, and leave whatever it is behind you. If you are weighed down with worry, troubles, and issues go to God in prayer immediately, and give it all to Him. He is much better qualified to solve our problems than we are. Be of a steadfast mindset when it comes to serving God, and run your faith race with determination and endurance as Paul did. It is only when we get rid of the things in our lives that we know don't fit who we are as followers of Christ, when we cast our cares upon Him, and when we become eager and determined to endure all obstacles set before us that we can run our faith race successfully.

If you have dropped all your extra weight, and are running a strong faith race then God bless you. If you are one who is struggling with letting go of some sin in your life pray about it and let it go. If you are carrying around burdens and cares that are hindering your faith race, go to God in prayer immediately, trust Him, have faith in Him, and leave all your cares with Him. It is only by doing these things that you will ever truly experience the divine peace that the Bible speaks of. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a peace so great words can't describe it. It is with this divine peace and lightened load that you will be prepared to run your faith race with endurance knowing that you are on track as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that your obedience is pleasing to Him. Nothing could be greater than to stand before God on judgment day, and have Him say well done my good and faithful servant.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.