As previously discussed, throughout Christianity there have been many who allow various things or people to hinder their race of life, but especially their running with Jesus as their Savior. Hebrews 12:1 states, “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”. At first glance, this verse encourages getting rid of everything that would keep one from running a race for God, but the depth of meaning can be easily overlooked if not studied. The word weight in this verse is defined as a burden, hindrance, or mass protruding from a surface. This explains that the weights keeping one from running properly can be external or internal. With some of these weights overlapping in the internal and external, it displays how easily some of the external weights can birth internal weights. External weights could be shame, confusion, bad habits, lack of confidence, guilt, deception, worries, and fear. These external weights can be defined as things placed upon a person by an outside force but are allowed to remain for carrying. When a Christian allows these external weights to make them stand still or go backward, they are forfeiting the things God has for them and possibly their entire race. Every Christian must die daily to fleshly desires to run the race (1 Corinthians 15:31). Some people in life influence bad doctrine or bad behavior by placing external weights on God’s people (1 Corinthians 15:33). Christians must choose to lay aside these external weights to continue running their race. God’s people are not supposed to walk in the same manner as non-believers (Psalm 1:1) because the Christian’s delight should be in the Word of God (Psalm 1:2). Not every spirit or person speaking within the life of a Christian speaks good things. Every voice must be judged to determine its origin (1 John 4:1-3). The proper method to overcome external weights is to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2). The goal of weights and sins is to hinder every Christian who does not lay them aside. The spiritual enemies of one’s faith ensure there are plenty of weights coming from the external but also influenced to be birthed as internal. Using the Word of God regarding any of the external weights is the best method to lay down these weights and cut the strings that would keep the weights from detaching. Here are some Bible verses for each of the mentioned external weights to help overcome them and run the race. Shame (Isaiah 61:7; Romans 10:11; Romans 1:16; Psalm 37:18-19; 1 John 2:28), confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Timothy 2:7; 1 Peter 5:8; John 16:13; Proverbs 28:5), bad habits (Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:12; James 1:14-15; 1 Corinthians 6:9-12; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), lack of confidence (Proverbs 3:26; Hebrews 13:6; Romans 15:13; Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 4:16), guilt (Romans 8:1; Romans 5:1; Luke 15:7; Psalm 103:1-12; Hebrews 9:14), deception (Colossians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Proverbs 28:26; James 1:26; Titus 1:9), worries (John 14:1; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 15:13; Hebrews 11:1), and fear (2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 10:28; Isaiah 41:10; 1 John 4:18; Joshua 1:9). This list is not exhaustive but can be a resource to start laying aside the external weights that hinder a person from running their race for God. May Christians everywhere lay aside these weights and obtain victory through Jesus Christ. For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.
Throughout Christianity there have been many who allow various things or people to hinder their race of life, but especially their running with Jesus Christ as their Savior. Hebrews 12:1 tells us, “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”. At first glance, this verse encourages getting rid of everything that would keep one from running a race for God, but the depth of meaning can be easily overlooked if not studied. The word weight in this verse is defined as a burden, hindrance, or mass protruding from a surface. This explains that the weights keeping one from running properly can be external or internal. For example, internal weights could be excuses, attitudes, a lack of motivation or willpower, a lack of self-worth, a lack of mental stability, guilt, deception, worries, or fear to name a few. These internal weights could be defined as things birthed from within creating a mass that others may or may not see within one’s life. When a Christian allows these internal weights to make them stand still or go backward, they are forfeiting the things God has for them and possibly their entire race. God’s people must keep a guard over their hearts from the weights and sins that would hinder a relationship with God (Proverbs 4:23). Speaking the Word of God over these internal weights will help lay them aside and no longer give voice to these hindrances (Proverbs 4:24-27). Jesus said, pay attention to yourselves and do not let your hearts be overtaken by weights and stay alert at all times to stay strong in the things of God (Luke 21:34-36). No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person, so everyone must receive the Spirit of God and not the world’s spirit to discern where the thoughts originate (1 Corinthians 2:11-12). The goal of weights and sins is to hinder every Christian who does not lay them aside. The spiritual enemies of one’s faith ensure there are plenty of weights coming from the external but also influenced to be birthed as internal. Using the Word of God regarding any of the internal weights is the best method to cut the strings that would keep the weights from being laid aside. Here are some Bible verses for each of the mentioned weights to help overcome them and run the race. Excuses (Luke 14:18-20; Exodus 4:10-14; Luke 9:59-62; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 1:37), attitudes/emotions (James 1:2-18; Philippians 4:6-8; Proverbs 29:11; Galatians 5:16-24; James 1:19-20), lack of motivation/willpower (Galatians 6:9; Colossians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Romans 12:11; Isaiah 40:28-31), lack of self-worth (Hebrews 13:5; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 5:8; Isaiah 41:10; Luke 12:7), lack of mental stability (2 Corinthians 10:5; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:13; James 1:8; Philippians 4:4-13), guilt (Romans 8:1; Romans 5:1; Luke 15:7; Psalm 103:1-12; Hebrews 9:14), deception (Colossians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Proverbs 28:26; James 1:26; Titus 1:9), worries (John 14:1; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 15:13; Hebrews 11:1), and fear (2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 10:28; Isaiah 41:10; 1 John 4:18; Joshua 1:9). This list is not exhaustive but can be a resource to start laying aside the internal weights that hinder a person from running their race for God. May Christians everywhere lay aside these weights and obtain victory through Jesus Christ. For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.
According to the Bible, the current time frame is called the last days (2 Timothy 3:1; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18). Some people are deeply concerned about elections, the economy, what the future holds for America, what the future looks like for the world, or many other pressing topics. While these are very important topics and should be given thought for each person to do what they can to make the necessary changes, many spiritual aspects are not given much thought at all. The first spiritual aspect should be the condition of a personal walk with God. Without a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ no one can enter God’s kingdom here or for eternity (John 3:3; John 3:16-18; 1 John 2:29). A serious relationship with God does not include living like the culture of the world but living holy and clean (1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Timothy 2:21; 1 John 3:3; Titus 2:11-12). Another aspect of last days’ living is sharing the Word of God with others. This does not constitute social do-good acts but speaking the Word of God aloud for faith to come within the people (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:9-10). Let a church hand out water bottles, but speak the Word of God regarding salvation as the people reach out and grab the bottle. The love of God is present for everyone no matter their spiritual condition, but it is salvation that is the gift people must receive (John 3:16-21; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 6:23; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 5:9; John 6:40). John 3:36 states, “And he who believes in the Son has eternal life. But whoever disobeys the Son will never see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Amplified). Notice this verse does not say whoever knows God loves them or whoever thinks God is in Heaven. It says whoever believes which means has faith in, clings to, and relies on Jesus Christ possesses eternal life. God’s love sent Jesus to become the sacrifice for the sins of mankind (John 3:16), but a person’s response to God’s acts of love determines their relationship with God (Matthew 22:14; Matthew 7:13-14). Life is meant to be lived by enjoying family, friends, clean fun, clean hobbies, going to church, and having the joy of the Lord as strength (Nehemiah 8:10) among other clean and holy elements of life but if people do not balance life here and the spiritual aspects to eternal life it will not be an eternity with God. Many people have more of a focus on having fun here and now rather than enjoying life and preparing for eternity by obeying God’s Word. The last days were not a joke to Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Peter, or any other Bible leader. Why have the last days become a joke among the body of Christ by living like the world, allowing churches to be lukewarm, and not having a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ as the Bible says to do? The answer is people who are no longer centering themselves on the Bible, but centering the Bible on self. This is not the day for fun and games but a day to have a biblical walk with God. It is also a day of being a living epistle sharing the Word of God with as many people as possible to make their choice on being a Christian. For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.
|
AuthorCaleb Andrews Archives
September 2024
Categories |