run the race – rtr

Hebrews 12:1-3 gives believers in Christ Jesus this great and encouraging exhortation;

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.³ Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.“

This address is filled with encouragement that tops that of anyone’s favorite motivational speaker. That’s because this encouragement is God-breathed, and sets our eyes not on self, but on the finisher and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ.

“In what way does this text give encouragement?”, some may ask. I believe that this text first looks to encourage us by looking at those faith-filled believers who ran before us. This view puts much of the faith that we hold to as Christ-followers in a much larger perspective than merely personal, here we see the historical and chronological implications of such a great family of believers that have only increased throughout the onset of creation.

From the patriarch Abraham, and how his belief and trust in God was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). To the warrior-poet-king David, who by obedient faith proved to be a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 17 & Acts 13:22). Even to Ruth, a widowed woman and outsider as a Moabite sojourning in a new land. Ruth was blessed when she showed faithful loyalty to God by pursuing her mother-in-law Naomi, and the God of her people, this faith gained her great blessing in her redeeming husband Boaz (Ruth 4:13-16, emphasis on the Davidic line that would come from their union). It is sobering to know that we share in the same salvation that these mighty believers of old did, even if by different means (they had no Christ, only faith in God, and the awaiting of Messiah). These are those of who are in this great cloud of witnesses. Also inside of this great cloud of witnesses are those believers that you and I know that have passed on to glory. Every single soul who has taken on Christ as Lord and savior since his initial coming.

This great and beautiful legacy can enable the believer to run a strong race, counting the race as worthy on account of even those who have already completed it, most importantly the Christ Jesus and his well ran race, but here also all those who had faith that a Christ would come and save a multitude. Their actions in faith was their race.

This text does not get at a ‘pay-per-view’ ideal of these saints watching over us, nor do we see imagery of some sort of guardian angel force by means of those who have only come into existence as man/woman. What we do see is the idea that because we know that these faithful saints went before us, ‘running their races’ well and unto completion, that we can do the same and do so with great fervor! A mind set and a heart determined to this is able to cut off the sin, erase the distractions that hinder us from running well the given race that Christ has set before us for his great glory.

This is all good news and when we look at this all while seeing who set us on this race we can have great endurance. This life takes endurance, this is evident even in the life of the unbeliever, but for the Christian this is more and more evident as you grow in Christ. We have a promise as well as proof of the glorification that comes with running well. The finisher and perfecter of our faith endured His race with joy, taking on the cross, defeating it, death, and sin, to ultimately take His rightful seat on the throne at the right hand of God.

Looking at our last verse 3 we consider Christ again.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

God, who took on flesh, becoming the man Jesus (John 1:14), endured from the very mankind He created such brutality. Holy and all-knowing God taking on scoffing, hatred, and violence from sinful man patiently. All to His glory, but to or great benefit also, let us always consider Christ Jesus and what He has already done, and also for what He does on our behalf as interceder. When we do this we can also run well with endurance, and as the texts says not becoming weary or faint-hearted when trial, hardship or adversity comes. Again, let us look to Jesus Christ, the one who empowers us to run the race.

***In this word here I wanted to share a little more of the leading behind Run the Race. Hebrews 12:1-3 is the lifeblood of this movement, and its purpose is to equip believers for the race that is set out before them. Equipping through fitness, service, and fellowship. Stewardship speaks to all of these areas, and on my heart is the effort to encourage the body in using well their physical bodies to make Christ known, this looks like simply taking care of your temple, seeing that it is the vehicle by which faithful service passes through. Not all bodies are made the same, but using it for God’s glory alone no matter where you are situated will always be the most fruitful end. On service, this is the regular Kingdom-minded activity that we as believers are called to. This is evangelism (Matthew 28:19/1 Peter 3:15), benevolence (Luke 6:27-36/Galatians 6:10/Acts 20:35), and service to the body of believers that we are blessed to be in community with. Though not at all limited to these areas alone, these are must haves in service outside of self. On fellowship, this is the great need there is for believers to be in community with other believers. To grow and to live life, bearing one another’s burden, being daily reminded that their race is not just about themselves, but just as Christ has become a blessing to us, we bless many! This all to the glory of God and for our great good!***

Taking on this call to Run the Race, myself and a brother used a race as an opportunity to share Christ with the unreached. After much prayer together and intentional listening to the lead of the Holy Spirit the time was more fruitful than I could put words to. When we invest into the kingdom, in sharing the life saving gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, we receive and also share of the best return known to man, His sacrifice that reconciles sinners to God in exchange for our faithful repentance from sin. (Matthew 10:32-33/Matthew 28:19)

For those who have not yielded to the truth of the gospel, the offer is clear. By Christ alone man can be reconciled to Holy God (John 14:6), not by our own acts and deeds (Romans 3:10), God made provision for man to be reconciled to Him by Christ (John 3:16), while we were yet still sinners and before we ever even came onto the scene (Romans 5:8), by the substitutionary death of Christ Jesus in the place of those sinful man who would believe, and come to believe in Him. Belief is faith, faith is resting in the promises of what He has already said in the Bible and done throughout all of creation. Put this all together and allow Christ to shape your life. Take part in this wonderful blessing my friend, Christ knows you all together, yield to His call, He is the only way.

rtr.

Song of the Week

Steven Curtis Chapman – The Great Adventure