LET US RUN WITH
PATIENCE
-- HEBREWS 12 --
Hebrews 12 is the chapter that really begins to make
application of what has been learned concerning the priesthood of Jesus. This
chapter provides motivation to run with perseverance the Christian race. Now
that we have learned what saving faith is all about, we must make application
of those teachings to our life.
The Old Testament worthies of Hebrews 11 are listed as
"witnesses" to encourage these brethren to faithful service to God.
The Hebrew writer points these brethren to Jesus as the greatest example of one
who was faithful to God. Christians can also look to Him for help to persevere
in the Christian life. Christ bore all the trials and temptations which came
His way. He remained faithful to God, faithful even to His death on the cross.
Jesus did what these Hebrew brethren had not done. He
"resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Hebrews 12:4) He wanted
them to understand that their trials and chastisement would work out for their
own good. These sufferings should bring them closer to the Lord. These were
God's sons and He was trying to help them reach their goal -- Heaven. Thus,
they should bear their trials, with patience, as they wait for that heavenly
reward.
Faithfulness
should mark every Christian life. Those who fail are like Esau. When Esau had
lost the blessing it was impossible to recover it, though he sought it
earnestly with tears. We should persevere because of the nature of the
dispensation that we live under. This new dispensation is designed to encourage
and to win the heart of mankind for God. What a privilege we now enjoy! It
would be a horrible thing to renounce Christ and His gospel and thus turn back.
This is true because, our "God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29)
Run the Christian race -- Hebrews 12:1-3: This great chapter begins, "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." (Hebrews 12:1) These Old
Testament heroes of faith (Hebrews 11) provide encouragement for the Hebrew
Christians, and for us to stand up and be men for God.
"Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us" is one of the great Bible statements dealing with
Christian living. As applied to Christians, it means that they should remove
all that would obstruct their progress in the Christian race. Christianity is a
race set before us by God. It is our duty to faithfully run this race.
"Every weight" refers to anything in the world
that would hinder our faith, worship or service to God. These hindrances could
be riches, honors or pleasures. We cannot allow the world to influence our mind
in any way that would pull us away from our faithfulness to God.
"The sin that doth so easily beset us" likely
refers to the sin that we have the greatest struggle with. We must avoid
circumstances and conditions that would make that sin available. Therefore we
must lay aside both external and internal hindrances. Get your heart right and
stay away from anything that would hinder your Christian growth and service.
Let us run the Christian race with endurance, looking unto Jesus.
Run with endurance -- Hebrews 12:4-17:
Christians must be faithful, even during the worst of suffering. Christ
suffered, even unto death. His sufferings are contrasted with the sufferings of
the Hebrew Christians. The statement that they had not "yet resisted unto
blood" was a warning of more sever trials ahead.
The writer wanted these brethren to understand that their
sufferings were grounded in the love and benevolent purpose of God. "For
whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." (Hebrews 12:6) He does not overlook
any of His children in giving the chastisement that is needed.
Some who run get beaten down. The faithful must help them
be able to run with endurance. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang
down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that
which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."
(Hebrews 12:12-13)
Those who fail to endure are like Esau. They are profane. A
profane person is the opposite of one who endures in the Christian life. A
Christian who turns back is giving up something even more valuable than Esau's
birthright. The person who fails to run with endurance is giving up his eternal
salvation.
Run
to the heavenly
In contrast with that old law, think of the wonderful
blessings believers enjoy through Christ and His gospel. We are come to "
Run till the race is over -- Hebrews 12:23-29:
The great motivation to run is that we are: (a) A part of the general assembly,
(b) Members of the church of the firstborn, (c) Part of an immovable kingdom,
and (d) Serving our God who is a consuming fire.
Why would anyone turn from Christianity back to Judaism?
Christians are God's regenerated. They are the ones who have been born
again. These are the ones who have their
names registered in heaven. Just as the firstborn under the Law enjoyed special
blessings, even more so, God's firstborn today have many glorious privileges.
The fact that Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant is
one of many encouragements to perseverance in the gospel. Christ is the
Mediator. His work was and is to bring man back to God and to keep them
together. The ultimate goal of our Mediator is to bring God and His people
together in heaven. Christians are taught perseverance based on the heavenly
nature of the gospel and the church produced by that message. The gospel has
its power and the church has its meaning because of the precious blood of Jesus
Christ.
Christians are blessed to be a part of this general
assembly of the first-born. We belong! We assemble together. We run the
Christian race till life is over. We never stop running because one day we will
stand before God the Judge of all. God will judge both Jew and Gentile according
to the law that they lived under. We must never turn back because, "our
God is a consuming fire."
If you are not a Christian you should
become a Christian today. (Acts 2:36-41.) If you are a Christian be faithful to
the Lord in daily Bible study, in your commitment and daily living.