FOLLOWING JESUS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Hebrews 12:1-2
The author is writing to a group of Jewish Christians who are finding their new life in Christ difficult. They are being persecuted. Greatly discouraged, some are ready to renounce their new found faith.
The author writes to urge these disheartened Christians to be loyal to their faith. He warns them against falling short of the grace of God. He gives them some very definite and helpful directions for living the Christian life. He is telling them how they can win; how they may make life count.
Following Jesus Is like a Race (Not a Rocking Chair Religion): "Let us run...."
Following Jesus - being a true Christian - takes effort.
Paul's testimony: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness..." (2 Tim 4:7-8).
That following Christ as Christians takes effort is consistent with the whole N. T.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:11-12).
That following Jesus takes effort is consistent with the teachings of Jesus Himself.
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to" (Luke 13:24).
To make life count anywhere we have to give our best!
The race is marked out for us. The runner may not run anywhere.
To Win this Race We Are to Throw off Every Handicap: "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us."
Our first and supreme purpose is to win the race.
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Cor 9:24).
If we expect to run successfully we must put aside sin.
If we expect to run successfully we must "throw off everything that hinders."
Following Jesus We must Run with Persistence, Never Giving up: "Let us run with perseverance...."
Following Jesus is not a hundred-yard dash, but a long cross-country race.
Some loose patience because of opposition.
Moses "chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time" (Heb 11:25).
Jesus "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb 12:2).
Suffering is not a mark of God's displeasure.
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons...." (Heb.12:5-7).
There Is Only One Way to Win: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."
Greek literally means to look away from everything else to concentrate on Jesus.
In order to win we must look to Jesus as our example - follow Jesus.
We are to look to Jesus as our Savior and our constant Helper.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom. 10:13).