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Hebrews 12:1, 2 - FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS.Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.INTRODUCTION The Christian life involves focus and training. It requires us to give up whatever hinders or endangers our relationships with God and to run with stamina and commitment in the power of the Holy Spirit. We will stumble if we look away from him to worry about ourselves or look at the opposition, trials, or suffering facing us. We should be running solely for Christ, not our own glory or success, and we must always keep him in sight. (No, we should not worry about ourselves, but we need to take proper care of ourselves so we can function properly for Christ.) Long-distance runners work hard to build endurance and strength. On race day, their clothes are lightweight, and their bodies lean. In the ancient world, in fact, runners competed naked. To run the race that God has set before us, we must also strip off the excess weight that slows us down. How can we do that? (1) Choose friends who are also committed to the race. Nonbelieving friends will have values and activities that may deter you from the course. (2) Drop or curtail certain activities, such as continually checking messages, spending hours a day watching shows or playing video games, or shopping for nonessential items. They may be adding unnecessary weight. Try dropping them for a while; then check the results in your life. (3) Get help for addictions that disable you. If you have a secret "weight" such as pornography, gambling, painkillers, or alcohol, admit your need and get help today. When you face hardship and discouragement, it's easy to lose sight of the big picture. But you're not alone; you can get help. Many others have already made it through the stage of life you are in, enduring far more difficult circumstances than you have. Suffering provides the training ground for Christian maturity. It develops our patience, makes us realize our need for Christ, strengthens our resolve, encourages humility, and ensures our final victory. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Enoch kept the Lord ever before him, and the Inspired Word says that he "walked with God." He made Christ his constant companion. He was in the world, and performed his duties to the world; but he was ever under the influence of Jesus. He reflected Christ's character, exhibiting the same qualities of goodness, mercy, tender compassion, sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humility, and love. His association with Christ day by day transformed him into the image of Him with whom he was so intimately connected. Day by day he was growing away from his own way into Christ's way, the heavenly, the divine, in his thoughts and feelings. He was constantly inquiring, Is this the way of the Lord? His was a constant growth, and he had fellowship with the Father and the Son. This is genuine sanctification (RH April 28, 1891). COMMENTARY Seated And Reigning You have victory in Christ. This is not mere preacher talk or church rhetoric. Jesus has already won. He's seated in the place of victory at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). When eternity unfolds, Jesus won't return to earth to fight sin again. He'll return as the ultimate victor. Because Jesus has won the victory over sin, you have access to this victory too. You are freed from sin's quicksand by living in your new identity. The power to live freely comes from your close association with Christ and His victory. Our battle isn't won because the pressure lifts from our lives or because circumstances change. We will still walk through dark valleys over the course of our lives. No, the battle is won because of who walks with us. Since Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, Scripture says that you are seated with Him. Strive for holiness today, but only as one who is already seated with Christ. Dear Jesus, Your victory is final and finished. Would You free my heart from the allures of sin and replace those empty pursuits with powerful truths of Your glory? [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] CLOSING THOUGHT God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Hebrews 12:1, 2 - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20251026-1439.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240125-0725.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20231127-0738.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20231022-1110.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230326-1035.html Hebrews 12:1-3 - THE RACE OF FAITH - RUNNING WITH JESUS. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200507-1202.html Hebrews 12:3 - So keep your mind on Jesus Then you won't get discouraged and give up. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210111-1048.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |