Heb 12:1: Men put the breaks in the books and chapters of the bible, not God. So Hebrews Ch 12 is really a continuation of Chapter 11. When you see the word “wherefore”, look back to what was just said, so, speaking of what was just said, looking back at Chapter 11 which deals with people who have gone before and are heroes: Moses, Isaiah, Jacob, etc. Because of the record they have left of serving God on earth, we need to look to them as examples for our own life. They show us how to deal with challenges and serve God to the best of our ability at the same time. You can get through any obstacle that comes your way. God will still use you. So many people know what they did, and they dealt with their troubles and served God at the same time. We are running a race of life, and those who went before us are watching us from a grandstand in heaven, seeing how we deal with troubles and serve God. In ancient Greece, they “took it all off” so nothing would hinder them in a physical foot race. But we don't take that as a physical example, but rather a spiritual example. Take off all troubles that hinder your service to God: habits, life style changes, addictions…anything you think is hindering your Christian life. Don't let anything hinder you whatsoever. Race means agony here, so there's a bit of agony laid out before us and we need to deal with it as a Christian. Racing requires training, study, and total discipline on you part to reach you full potential in any race you run, in this case, the race for Jesus Christ. Every person that is called to Jesus Christ, He has a mission for you, a race laid out for you to run, challenges for you to overcome, ............ |
