Hebrews 12:1-3

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

John 15:4-7 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

People of faith should not lose heart; with faith in God, we should run the race of life with vigor, discipline, and perseverance. People with little or no real faith in Jesus and his words will stop because of distractions or troubles along the way. The hardships of the race and the difficulties of following Jesus will discourage the faithless, and they will fall out of the race, quitting on God. Nevertheless, Jesus encourages everyone who begins the race: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. He provides the strength and fortitude to finish the race when we abide in him and trust him. If we continue in his words, He helps us persevere to a victorious finish. Jesus pleased God the Father as He willingly ran to the finish line without sinning, without displeasing God. God accepts our race of faith also because we run BY FAITH IN CHRIST, hidden IN HIS GRACE, his sinless nature. Consequently, if we remain in Christ and his words remain in us, He leads us all the way to a successful end.

What hinders you as you run the race of life? Is it sin or is it hardships, trials, or sorrows you do not understand? Have you let your neighbors, relatives, or friends defeat you or do problems at work pull you away? Is it your loneliness, doubt, or fear that trouble you? Whatever it is, nothing is worth stepping out of the race. The author of Hebrews encourages us to throw off everything that hinders. He literally says, "Strip down naked to only faith." Run the race with endurance, accompanied only by the faith in your heart. This is the real race of life. No other race, no half-hearted effort, will please the Lord. Jesus ran the race passionately with great faith and expects us to run the race in the same way. God is a rewarder of those who trust in him. As Paul wrote, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

We cannot run the race of faith trough the faith others. WE MUST RUN IT IN CHRIST, trusting in his total sufficiency. Faith is not limping along in defeat counting on others to hold us up and to carry us to the end. A preacher, a friend, or spiritual companion can encourage and help you along the way, but no one runs the race for you. You must go up the hills, around the turns, and into the deep valleys. As you trust in God, the indwelling Holy Spirit will guide you and defeat anything that hinders you. This is your faith journey, your life to run. Fellow racers will share their water and hand you a little bread to nibble on, but you alone must get up and run with endurance. This is the life of a competitor IN CHRIST. You might be sore, even bloodied, but the Lord gives you the strength to run.

If I complain about the day: my duties, weariness, poor health, or emotional scars, God tells my spirit: "I have given you enough strength for today." He has given me just enough strength, and his grace is sufficient for me to endure each day's demands: to make it up the hill, to traverse the dark valley, even the valley of the shadow of death. As I listen to his voice, I purpose in my heart to place one foot in front of the other until the close of the day. Christians take each step by faith. Trusting in anything else leads to discouragement and defeat. Running by faith is not considering how well we feel, how righteous we are in our good works, or how happy we feel in our circumstances. If we follow Hebrews and consider how Jesus ran the race, we see that his life was not always smooth and enjoyable. Although Jesus faced pain and sadness, He ran with vigor and passion, believing in God's goodness and his presence. Following Christ's example, we must not grow weary and lose heart. We should finish the race as Christ finished the race with love and mercy: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. As Christ's last words were for others, may the same Spirit guide our steps each day.