Keeping Course
Hebrews 12:1-2
1Wherefore 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,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our course in life, living as a follower of Jesus can be seen as a race like as explained in the above-mentioned Scripture verses. It requires enduring faith, commitment, humility, continuous patience, a pursuit to godliness and righteousness through Jesus, and a mindset and lifestyle which proclaims: Less of me and more of you, Lord!
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
How reassuring is it to read the word “us” in the first verse of Hebrews 12 – with it the writer states that we are not alone in running this race. We, as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus runs this race together! And yes, Jesus is with us every step of the way – He has provided and equipped us with the Holy Spirit and the Word of the living God!
As brothers and sister in Jesus, the word “us” suggests unity in our pursuit! We all run towards the same finish line – Jesus will return for His bride and for judgement and if we kept course in truth and in Spirit, we will dwell in the house of the Lord! We are also commanded in Scripture to carry one another’s burdens, to rejoice with each other, to love each other, to keep each other accountable before God and to exhort, rebuke and reproof one another! “Us” directly calls for the body of Christ to take up the responsibility we have in Jesus to be there for one another in our course!
Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:25-26
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Not only so, but how you run your race in faith is a testimony witnessed by others of the glory of God, your race is a testimony to encourage and strengthen, or convict, others in turn!
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
Paul shares with Timothy about his race. How he has run it, enduring; keeping the faith, finishing it in righteousness! His statement resounds with confidence, knowing that there is a reward for his endurance! He is not afraid to face the day of judgement!
Can you say the same? Are you ready for Jesus’ return? If you had to reflect upon your current life, your relationship with Jesus, can you proclaim with the same confidence that you have fought the good fight of faith, finished your course and kept the faith?
Are you fighting the good fight of faith?
One thing we ought to realize, as also mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 – sin will keep you from confidently answering “Yes!” to that question. Sin is a definite hindrance which will prohibit you from running your race. Not only that, but there will be hindrances that come your way. Hindrances in the form of temptations which, if not resisted, will keep you from fighting your good fight efficiently!
All too easily is sin admired by the world! It is packaged and softened to make it out as not too bad, not too dangerous – “Everyone is doing it, what’s wrong with it?” If you are surrounded with such conversations, flee; your mind will adopt the same thought process and you will fall sooner, rather than later if you don’t!
The fact of the matter remains, running a race requires effort and commitment. Yes, we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, but your input is still required! Sin must be laid aside, it’s ensnaring and harmful and it can be avoided! You need to make the choice to lay aside sin, lay aside the places you hang out, lay aside the friends that’s harmful to your race, lay aside that which keeps you from committing fully to keeping course.
If we read on, patience is mentioned. Patience requires tolerance, tolerance to face the struggles and obstacles that may come across our path, but, our race is not just to be tolerated! In Jesus Christ, our race is to be mastered! Having patience during our course of faith, we are to master the race, endure in faith that which we have started in accepting Jesus’ salvation, being baptized and living a holy life!
To master our race we need to and can look to Jesus Christ, because He is our ultimate Example! The word “look” in the Greek translation is so much fuller than what we understand it to be in English:
ἀφοράω aphoráō, af-or-ah’-o; from G575 and G3708; to consider attentively: — look. To turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.
It literally means to turn away and look away from anything but Jesus! Our eyes need to seize from being focused on anything but our Saviour, fixing our eyes wholly on Him!
In contrast, if we don’t we’ll be led astray, or we’ll only be faced with the obstacles and difficulties during our race; losing heart. Read Matthew 14:22-33; Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the ocean – eyes fixed on Jesus, but the moment he looked away he was confronted with the wind and the waves and he sunk into the sea.
In reference to Jesus being the Author and Finisher of our faith – Jesus is the start of our race, He needs to be the focus during our race, and He is the finish of our race.
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him – He knew the purpose of His incarnation, the purpose of the cross and the salvation – the redemption that would come of it. The love of God was demonstrated through Jesus, giving Him glory by being obedient to His will. Jesus’ submission to death upon the cross was God’s saving grace and mercy freely given to the world and was the destruction of sin and bondage. It was and is the victory over death!
What joy is set before you?
Are you rejoicing over the salvation you have in Jesus? The hope He has given us? Are you rejoicing in the fact that lost souls can now be found? Or the fact that we are blessed to give our lives as instruments for God’s glory? Do you have joy in your days over the fact that our Saviour is returning?
Jesus bore shame, even though despising it because He knew the purpose of it, the redemption that would come of it! Thereby bearing the accusation, the mockery, beating and crown of shame! Jesus endured it all and kept peace, He kept love and stayed the course, He kept holy, kept blameless – without spot or blemish. He kept in right standing with God through it all!
Stand firmly in the promises of God, ever fixed on the hope we have in Jesus and – endure! May Jesus be the joy set before you in your course!
How is it that we can be so bold for so many things – cheering our sports team, our opinion, studies and secular standpoints? But cower when we ought to stand for our faith?
How can we be so brave for the world, but so cowardly for Jesus Christ?
I pray that you’ll think this question over, with a sincerity of heart – not as standing condemned, but in earnest conviction!
To conclude, I pray that we’ll run this race with endurance, giving it our all until the day of Jesus’ return, strengthened by the Holy Spirit and equipped by the Word of God! May we lay aside all and any hindrances to keep course and fix our eyes completely on Jesus Christ, may we run in unity with our brothers and sisters and strengthen each other in truth and in Spirit. Lastly, may our race serve as a testimony to the glory of our Lord!
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