Hebrews 12:1-2
~15 min read
TRANSCRIPT
As I have already said, today’s message is titled “How Have We Been Running the Race?” In the Bible, we often read of metaphors or figures of speech that the writers would employ to describe our Christian walk and service. Among the most common is the metaphor of running, yes, of running the race, very much identified closely with athletes.
You would find this in 2 Timothy 2:5, where it talks about the athlete going for mastery in order to win the prize. The picture there is of an athlete engaged in a race, doing all he can to win the race. Then also, in Philippians 3:13, we read of the Apostle Paul again alluding to and giving some reference to running, as in running the race. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” Paul was highly motivated to run the spiritual race with a goal in mind, and he tells us of that goal: to win the prize, the prize of the upward high calling in Christ Jesus.
Then in his second letter to Timothy, mentioning in regards to the remaining days of his life, Paul wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). No doubt about it, we know this very well—we are in a race, and we are running the race. Now the question before us is, how have we been running the race?
By the grace and mercies of God, we may have been in the Christian race for quite a number of years. We may have been Christians for a couple of years, some perhaps for 10 years, others maybe 20 years, some even as old as Bethel BP Church. But as we look at our Christian lives, even as we take time to ponder upon the race in which we are running, we can’t help but look back to where we all started or to the time when we joined the race. By that, I mean from the very day that we have come to faith in the Lord Jesus. For we are in this race from the very first day when we come to take that step of faith, believing in the Lord Jesus and receiving Him as our Lord and Saviour.
As we look back to those times, no doubt we all have had a good start—or shall we say, a fresh start—where we found joy and delight in everything, from knowing and learning God’s Word, by coming and attending most, if not all, of the church meetings, whereby we all have had opportunities to learn God’s Word in Bible studies, fellowship meetings, even in prayer meetings, and more so on the Lord’s Day service. Yes, we all have had that joy and delight in joining all these church activities and meetings. For sure, in all those meetings, we have had opportunities of knowing and learning God’s Word, opportunities to be fed and nourished by the Word of God, and in so doing, we also had opportunities of growing, glowing, and thereafter serving the Lord with joy and gladness.
However, after years have passed, I wonder if we still have the same passion or zeal. Perhaps this morning, as we reflect upon this message, we may be able to really evaluate—if not examine—ourselves and see for ourselves how indeed have we been running the race.
As with a physical running competition, running the Christian race can be at times tough, can be at times difficult, and can be at times very challenging. We can be subjected to manifold situations that can affect our running. We may tend to slow down, as there will be times when we get tired and weary due to all the trials and difficulties of life. Some of us may even stumble and fall, and even at times hurt ourselves as we fall into temptation and give in to sin, that in a sense we fall back and not able to move on and move forward. It is even sadder to reach a point whereby we are tempted as we feel like quitting the race.
Consider what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Now, the question is: how are we supposed to run so that we may obtain?
Looking at our text this morning, I want us to consider a threefold exhortation on how to run so that we may obtain. Looking closely at Hebrews 12:1, let’s consider the very first of the threefold exhortation, and that is “Run with Discipline”.
I. Run The Race With Discipline
Let’s read again Hebrews 12:1: “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.” There, we find the very first exhortation: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” In running the race, we are to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us.
As we think about laying aside every weight, it refers to whatever encumbers us in running the race. And as we think about “the sin which doth so easily beset us,” it tells us to lay aside all those things that would entangle us. So, learn here two things that we are to lay aside: every weight that encumbrance and the sin that entanglements which doth so easily beset us. In so doing, you are actually engaged in running with discipline.
As with physical and literal running competitions, one basic requirement to becoming a good runner is discipline. One must commit to doing whatever is needed to stay in good shape in order to endure the race to the very end. In order to run effectively, you need to get rid of excess and useless weight—those extra weights that encumber you to run, that hinder you to run, that tend to weigh you down as you run the race. You need to watch out on your body weight. You must keep yourself fit, you must maintain your body weight, if not monitor it, so you will not find yourself gaining and building up extra weight that surely would tend to slow you down, if not hinder you from running.
Also, if you notice in a literal physical running competition, you cannot help but notice all the gears and apparels the runners wear. You would notice they are made of lightweight materials. For obviously, the longer you run, even your regular material in dressing and clothing in your shirts and shorts can become an extra and excess weight that may hinder you from running. That is why nowadays you would see among professional runners, those who are active in this competition, that most of their shirts and shorts are made up of super lightweight materials. The obvious reason for this is to enable them to run light, to run fast and easy.
The same goes in our Christian race, that we are exhorted here in verse one to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” We need to put away anything that encumbers us, and we need to put away anything that entangles us. The writer to the Hebrews makes it clear that there is such a thing as “every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” When we think about encumbrances, they may not be sinful in themselves, but nonetheless, they hinder us from running the race. This could be those areas in our lives in which we are engaged, that are not sinful in themselves but may tend to pose the threat of throwing us away, even causing us to drift away from pursuing the path of righteousness and to pursuing the path of holiness.
It can come in the form of your hobbies, your favourite pastime that tends to take some of your time, and even consume, if not some, most of your time, which hinders you from spending time — and more time — on spiritual matters like reading the Scriptures, praying, or perhaps joining fellowship meetings. Yes, this is what we call encumbrances, those things that we are engaged in that may not be sinful in themselves but pose a great threat to our commitment to pursuing things pertaining to righteousness and holiness, and things pertaining to God and His Word.
And, of course, as we think about entanglements, obviously the writer here clearly says to “lay aside every weight, and the sin” — the encumbrances and the sin “which doth so easily beset us”. That is what I would refer to as the entanglements. Yes, if there be anything that may not be sinful in itself that encumbers us and even hinders us from running, how much more are those sins that so easily get ourselves entangled? And that is why the very first exhortation is that we are to run the race with discipline.
How do we run the race with discipline? We must begin here; it must start here — “laying aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,” in order for us to accomplish this. We are to run with discipline, for obviously, excess weights and undesirable weights tend to slow us down, thus the need to put them away. Most of the effort required in winning the race actually takes place not on the actual day of the race itself, and that's another aspect of this first point on discipline. Winning the race much more requires discipline. Running in itself requires discipline, much more in winning the race.
As we think of any champion runners, or medal or honoured runners, you cannot help but think, and even wonder, how much discipline they have put in along the way and in the course of their journey, reaching the mark and even in making and establishing themselves in running competition. Please understand that the discipline that is required does not happen overnight; that discipline may have been in place years back, and many years before, and the actual winning is but the peak of it. Yes, winning today is actually the ultimate product and outcome of that discipline, and much discipline that runners have put into their lives. In the same way, our Christian race also requires such a kind of discipline, and that discipline would include some other sorts, like having the discipline of reading the Bible, of prayer, of fellowship, of service and worship.
In as much as in professional runners, physical runners, they also would require discipline of some sorts, like having the proper diet and monitoring their sleep pattern, having quality number of sleep, or developing strategy, or studying the competition, the game itself in which the runner competes and makes it to the finish line, is but the result of all these disciplines. So it is with our Christian race, so it is with the spiritual race in which we are engaged in. So, we are to run the race with discipline.
II. Run The Race With Determination
Next, we are to run the race with determination. Completing verse one, it says, “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 notice this portion of verse one: “and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Look again at that part: “let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Putting it another way, run the race with determination. When I say, “run with determination,” it means you are determined to run — meaning, you are committed, and must be committed to run, and to run the race.
As you can see, there is a call; there is an invitation there: “let us.” So, somebody is calling another, and both of them — the one who calls and the one being called — they must be actively engaged in the actual running. And so, if we are to run the race in order to obtain, we are to run with determination. Not only that you are determined to run, you also must be determined to endure. As it is often said, it is one thing to start a race, or start in a race; it's another to finish the race. But before we talk about finishing the race, there is one more thing that we need to consider: it is one thing to start in a race; it is another to endure and persevere the race, and definitely another to finish the race.
So, running the race with determination would mean that you are determined to run, and you are determined to endure, and you are determined to finish the race. You must be single-minded from the very moment that you engage yourself in running. You must be single-minded not just to run, but even to endure and persevere, and most of all, single-minded to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). It is interesting to note that the word translated “race” here in our text means an event or a contest in which the participants are to contend and strive with the rest of the competitors.
We are familiar with this picture and imagery; we often see this in sports news and in sports competitions, often times broadcast on TV and sports channels, that each runner would stand in their assigned lanes, and they would have to run (that is, if you are into track and field). But on some other occasions, you may be watching a marathon. Whatever it may be, one thing for sure that you would see is that, in this event or contest, each and every participant is to run and to run the race. In running the race, they are to contend and strive, or perhaps they are to compete with other runners. This is why running the race would involve striving and, at times, struggling; that is why you are to endure and persevere.
The word here translated “race” is from the same New Testament word from which we get the English word “agony.” As we think of running the race with determination, we are to run, and we are expected to agonise and to strive, even to struggle as we run the race. Notice carefully that we are exhorted to “run the race with patience.” Running the race with patience means patient endurance, or persevering patience.
It is from that New Testament word which means “to stay under and remain”. So, we are to remain under the challenge; we are to remain under that difficult situation; we are to remain under trials and difficulties; we are to remain under obstacles. Yes, there will be obstacles; there will be problems; there will be struggles as we carry on to endure and persevere in the race. For sure there will be times of stress and weariness, but we are to continue, even in such a situation. We take it as God gives it to us, and stay put and stay in the place where the Lord has placed us, enduring whatever might come our way in this race that we are in.
It is just sad to see or hear of fellow runners who gave up and quit, or have fallen by the wayside. Even as we think of ourselves gathered together in this worship service, looking around, you can see for yourselves how there used to be a good number of brethren worshipping together with us, fellowshipping together with us. But what happened? Yes, it is sad to see or hear of fellow runners giving up, quitting, or falling by the wayside for whatever reason, that they have not endured; they did not remain faithful under the challenge and the commitment to run and finish the race.
Please understand that while our Christian life is often referred to as a walk or a “Christian walk,” realise that it's more than just a walk; it is a race, a race in which we are to run, with that resolve to endure to the very end, run the race with determination.
III. Run The Race With Direction
Now, we come to the third and the last: run the race with direction—discipline, determination, and direction. Look with me again at verse two: “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.” Yes, that is what we read in verse two — looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Whereas in a literal and physical running, each runner is fixed and focused on the finish line, a further encouragement for us here who are running the race is that we are directed, exhorted, and called upon to look towards the Saviour. Yes, whereas the runners in a physical running competition are fixed and focused on the finish line, we are directed to look to the Saviour; we are to look at Him; we are to look at His life; we are to look at His example; we are even to look at His patience and perseverance. It is as if we are being told, if you are to commit yourself to running, consider the example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What was the example set before us? Look with me in verse two again: “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.” Yes, in those times when we are tempted to feel like quitting, or we may be slowing down and being hindered from pressing on, consider the example of the Lord. And, obviously, that very example according to the writer to the Hebrews that was set before him— “the joy that was set before him”. And what is the joy that was set before him? That joy of doing and fulfilling the will of God to save His people from their sins. That is why He “endured the cross, despising the shame,” fulfilling the task, the very mission by which the Father had sent Him. And after that humiliation, we find the Lord being exalted, now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider the example, and in considering the example, that is why we are directed; our focus is directed towards the Lord. Yes, we are to look at His holy life, to His patience and perseverance in trial, and more so to His final success, victory, and triumph. In running the Christian race, we may encounter discouragements, difficulties, distractions; we may find ourselves going for deviations and diversions. Yes, at times, we may find ourselves drifting, if not deviating, from the path, from the course that the Lord has set before us. It is best for us, if we are to run the race, to run the race with that sense of direction. It is best for us that we keep our focus on the mark — looking unto Jesus. Run the race with discipline, run the race with determination, run the race with direction.
My dear brothers and sisters at Bethel BP Church, how have we been running the race? Are we struggling? Are we having a hard time? Are we getting tired and weary, or perhaps we feel like quitting? Regardless of the situation, let’s keep moving, keep pushing, keep persevering, pressing on toward the mark. In times when you get weary and tired, and it's tempting to stop, don’t. You may slow down, even walk — it’s much better than quitting and not finishing the race. Just keep moving forward, pressing on to the mark. May the Lord be merciful to help us, to enable us, and to empower us to endure the race to the very end.
Let us pray. Lord, thank You for speaking to us in a very special way through Your Word this morning. We are greatly blessed by the truth that You have revealed unto us in the course of our meditation. Thank You for helping us to look into this passage with a renewed zeal and with that renewed fervour, that in all things that we have learned and considered, we may also have that eagerness to put them into practice. Oh Lord, have mercy; Thou hast spoken. Help us that we would respond, and that we would respond well, even respond with joy and gladness to the praise and glory of Thy holy name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
THE BOOK OF HEBREWSChrist, The Living WordChrist, The Living WordHebrews 1:1-2a
The Sevenfold Supremacy of ChristThe Sevenfold Supremacy of ChristHebrews 1:2b-3
The Greatness of Jesus Christ (Part 1)The Greatness of Jesus Christ (Part 1)Hebrews 1:4-6
What Child is This?What Child is This?Hebrews 1:4-6
The Greatness of Jesus Christ (Part 2)The Greatness of Jesus Christ (Part 2)Hebrews 1:7-14
The Danger of Drifting AwayThe Danger of Drifting AwayHebrews 2:1-4
What is Man, that Thou Art Mindful of Him?What is Man, that Thou Art Mindful of Him?Hebrews 2:5-9
The Captain of Our SalvationThe Captain of Our SalvationHebrews 2:10
Jesus, Our Sanctifier and ConquerorJesus, Our Sanctifier and ConquerorHebrews 2:11-15
Jesus, Our High PriestJesus, Our High PriestHebrews 2:16-18
Jesus is Greater than MosesJesus is Greater than MosesHebrews 3:1-6
Start and Finish WellStart and Finish WellHebrews 3:7-11
Harden Not Your HeartHarden Not Your HeartHebrews 3:12-19
Enter into God’s RestEnter into God’s RestHebrews 4:1-11
Encountering the Word of GodEncountering the Word of GodHebrews 4:12-13
Sola Scriptura: Scripture AloneSola Scriptura: Scripture AloneHebrews 4:12-13
Through The Priests Or To God Directly?Through The Priests Or To God Directly?Hebrews 4:14-16
Christ, Our Great High PriestChrist, Our Great High PriestHebrews 4:14-16
Jesus, the Superior Great High PriestJesus, the Superior Great High PriestHebrews 5:1-10
Dull of HearingDull of HearingHebrews 5:11-14
The Tragedy of Falling AwayThe Tragedy of Falling AwayHebrews 6:1-8
Things That Accompany SalvationThings That Accompany SalvationHebrews 6:9-12
Things That Accompany SalvationThings That Accompany SalvationHebrews 6:9-12
The Anchor of Our SoulThe Anchor of Our SoulHebrews 6:13-20
The Greatness of MelchisedecThe Greatness of MelchisedecHebrews 7:1-10
The Sufficiency of MelchisedecThe Sufficiency of MelchisedecHebrews 7:11-19
The Superiority of MelchisedecThe Superiority of MelchisedecHebrews 7:20-28
A More Excellent MinistryA More Excellent MinistryHebrews 8:1-6
The New CovenantThe New CovenantHebrews 8:7-13
The Tabernacle Fulfilled in ChristThe Tabernacle Fulfilled in ChristHebrews 9:1-7
The Time of ReformationThe Time of ReformationHebrews 9:8-14
The Reasons Why Jesus Had to DieThe Reasons Why Jesus Had to DieHebrews 9:15-26
An Appointment None Can EscapeAn Appointment None Can EscapeHebrews 9:27-28
We Preach Christ CrucifiedWe Preach Christ CrucifiedHebrews 10:1-18
Introductory MessageIntroductory MessageHebrews 10:19-25
What Shall We Do?What Shall We Do?Hebrews 10:19-25
A Living FaithA Living FaithHebrews 10:24-25
It is a Fearful Thing to Fall into the Hands of the Living GodIt is a Fearful Thing to Fall into the Hands of the Living GodHebrews 10:26-31
A Call to PerseveranceA Call to PerseveranceHebrews 10:32-39
Message 1: The Nature of FaithMessage 1: The Nature of FaithEphesians 2:8, Hebrews 11:1
Message 1: What is Faith?Message 1: What is Faith?Hebrews 11:1, Jude 3
The Faith of AbelThe Faith of AbelHebrews 11:4
The Faith of EnochThe Faith of EnochHebrews 11:5-6
The Faith of NoahThe Faith of NoahHebrews 11:7
The Faith of AbrahamThe Faith of AbrahamHebrews 11:8-16
The Faith of the PatriarchsThe Faith of the PatriarchsHebrews 11:17-22
The Faith of JochebedThe Faith of JochebedHebrews 11:23
The Faith of MosesThe Faith of MosesHebrews 11:24-29
The Faith of Joshua and the PeopleThe Faith of Joshua and the PeopleHebrews 11:30
How Have You Been Running The Race?How Have You Been Running The Race?Hebrews 12:1-2
How to Run the Race FaithfullyHow to Run the Race FaithfullyHebrews 12:1-2
Let Us Run The RaceLet Us Run The RaceHebrews 12:1-3
The Christian RaceThe Christian RaceHebrews 12:1-3
Despise Not Divine ChastisementDespise Not Divine ChastisementHebrews 12:4-11
Guard Against Stumbling and FallingGuard Against Stumbling and FallingHebrews 12:12-17
Follow Peace and HolinessFollow Peace and HolinessHebrews 12:14
From Untouchable to ApproachableFrom Untouchable to ApproachableHebrews 12:18-29
True Faith Leads to True Living (Part 1)True Faith Leads to True Living (Part 1)Hebrews 13:1-3
True Faith Leads to True Living (Part 2)True Faith Leads to True Living (Part 2)Hebrews 13:4-6
Remember Our LeadersRemember Our LeadersHebrews 13:7, 17
Jesus is The SameJesus is The SameHebrews 13:8
Do Not Be Carried About by Divers Strange DoctrineDo Not Be Carried About by Divers Strange DoctrineHebrews 13:9
Are You Willing to Stand with Christ?Are You Willing to Stand with Christ?Hebrews 13:10-16
Pray for UsPray for UsHebrews 13:18-19
Blessed AssuranceBlessed AssuranceHebrews 13:20-21
