Run!

Why does there seem to be no growth in the lives of Christians, no victory? Why is there the same divorce rate in the church, as there is in the world? Is there no conviction? If there is conviction, does it take no hold, have no affect? We need to make a stand for Christ not be like the world “in order to win them to Christ”. Jesus has already told us “Be in the world, but not of it”.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
　
We need to run the race we that has been set before us! 1 Corinthians 9:24- “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
We need to be different. To be salt. To be light. We need a faith that stands firm! A faith that endures. Without faith it is impossible to please God!(Heb. 11:6) Hebrews 10: 36-39 says “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
“ For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”
Are we those who draw back? Are we those who the Lord finds pleasure in? He is coming, life is short. “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”(Heb. 6:11,12) Don’t grow sluggish, do not get tired of this life, of this walk, of this battle! Be diligent. Rejoice in the hard times. Romans 5:3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The hard times bring perseverance and character and hope!
A runner who really seeks to win loses as much weight as possible without hurting performance. This race we run in is not a physical race, likewise the weights we have are not physical weights. Back to Hebrews 12:1 up at the top, we read “let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us.” Let us lay aside things which slow down our spiritual growth: anger, covetousness, pride, filthy language out of your mouth. (To name a few.) Such things will make "running the race of faith" difficult, if not impossible!
“And let us run with endurance” The "race of faith” is a marathon, not a sprint. It does not require one quick burst of energy, in which the race is soon over. This "race" requires a sustained effort over a long period of time. Do not loose faith. Gain, strength, hope and resolution.
Jesus told us ahead of time that we would need patience. “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mt. 10:24) “But He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Mt. 24:13) He gives us Abraham as an example, “after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”(Heb. 6:15) Our patience will grow through Scripture(Rom. 5:14) “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
As we read of the faithfulness of God Who fulfills His promises and of the ultimate end of those persevered in faithfulness we can see that endurance is required for successfully running this "race of faith"! Paul wrote that eternal life would be given "to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality"(Rom 2:7)
Our best example is Jesus: “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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Heb 12:2-3)
If you want to be distressed -look at yourself! If you want to be defeated -look back! If you want to be distracted -look around! If you want to be dismayed -look ahead! If you want to be delivered -look up! We must consider how He endured. His time on the cross and His time before! How He "endured such hostility from sinners against Himself" This hostility is something He was constantly experiencing. Meditating upon our Lord will prevent us from becoming "weary and discouraged in your souls". But as we consider the Lord and His example (a form of "waiting upon the Lord"), we shall not grow weary nor faint Because when we wait on the Lord, we will renew our strength, “mount up with wings like eagles” and “run and not be weary”.(Is. 40:31)
Get going! Run the “race” with endurance and strength. Make a difference in the lives of others.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.