 |
|
|
December 24 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1,2. The previous chapter of Hebrews has revealed the marvelous faith of those who preceded us into the eternal glory of God. So the theme continues as we are assured that a cloud of witnesses is observing our progress in faith. What do these witnesses see? It cannot be that they would see our failures, our sin, or anything that would cause them to lose their joy. For we know that heaven is a place of eternal joy and peace in the Lord. So it must be that these witnesses see only our acts of faith. This would fit the pattern of all of the New Testament, where there is nothing recorded about the failures of those in the Old Testament. God remembers only the acts of faith of His followers, and so that must be what the witnesses also see. We are to lay aside any encumbrance or hindrance that would detract from our walk of faith. It may be a habit that is offensive to others. It may be a sin that we dismiss as too ‘insignificant.’ Or in the extreme it is a habitual sin that is highly disturbing to the Holy Spirit. We have the power, given by Jesus, to lay aside theses hindrances and sins. The key to our faith is to keep our eyes, our mind and spirit, set upon Jesus. We are to run with endurance. This does mean that we are to be passive about our condition before God. Instead we are to be proactive in our commitment to Jesus and His ways. We are pressing on toward the image of God that is to be created in us. Thank You Jesus for perfecting our faith. You showed us the way by going to the cross. We want to take all of our old ways and place them there as well. We want only the resurrected life that You have given us. Let us press on together. Amen. |
