Finishing the Race

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Do we run a race similar to anyone who has gone before us? What can we learn from their examples? How should we run our race?

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A Similar Race

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900
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,
Hebrews 12:1
Chapter 12 begins with “wherefore,” meaning that what the Hebrews writer is about to say is based on what came before.
Chapter 11 is filled with examples of faith, those who heard what God said to do and obeyed Him, looking not for a final reward on Earth, but a final reward in Heaven.
Hebrews 11:13-16
Hebrews 11:13–16 KJV 1900
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900
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,
Hebrews 12:1
Because we have so many good, faithful witnesses around us, the Hebrews writer states that we should run the race that is set before us.
As Chapter 11 stated, these witnesses or examples of faith were not focused on the Earth as a final result, but were instead focused on an eternal perspective. Their prize was a “heavenly” kingdom, and they did a good job finishing their course and keeping the faith.
Now the Hebrews writer states that because of these witnesses, we should run the race that is set before us.

How to Run the Race

Remember the Witnesses

These examples were written for our learning. And we do not just have one or two witnesses, we have a crowd or cloud of witnesses.
Romans 15:4
Romans 15:4 KJV 1900
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
We can find inspiration and encouragement through the lives that these great examples of faith led.
They endured hardships, but persevered.
Hebrews 11:35-38
Hebrews 11:35–38 KJV 1900
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
In fact, the Bible teaches us that we should be honored to be counted worthy to suffer for God, just like these great men and women of faith.
Matthew 5:11-12
James 5:10-11
Matthew 5:11–12 KJV 1900
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
James 5:10–11 KJV 1900
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Lay Aside the Weights

A runner may run with weights on to build up their muscles. But when it is time to run the actual race, the weights come off and it can feel so much lighter and so much easier to run.
Hebrews 12:1
Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900
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,
We do not need unnecessary burdens when we run the race of life. Mankind may try and lay unnecessary burdens on you.
Matthew 23:1-4
Matthew 11:28-30
Philippians 4:6-7
Matthew 23:1–4 KJV 1900
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Matthew 11:28–30 KJV 1900
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Becoming a Christian should release us from the burden of being in bondage to sin.
Romans 6:22
Romans 6:22 KJV 1900
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Lay Aside the Sin

It’s hard to run away if you’re surrounded. The Hebrews writer tells us to lay aside the sins that beset us or surround us.
It’s easier said than done and it may not happen overnight, but it is possible to lay aside sin.
1 Peter 2:1-2
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
1 Peter 2:1–2 KJV 1900
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 KJV 1900
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Run With Patience

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900
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,
Hebrews 12:1
My definition of patience is letting what is right according to the word of God consistently take control.
Sometimes the race is about finishing. In the case of our spiritual lives, we can either leave the course and go back into the world of sin and death, or we can finish the course and obtain victory in Heaven with God.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Acts 20:24
2 Timothy 4:6-8
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 KJV 1900
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Acts 20:24 KJV 1900
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
2 Timothy 4:6–8 KJV 1900
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Whatever we have to endure, whatever persecution we may face, whatever temptation may come, let us never depart from the one and only course and path that leads to eternal victory.
John 14:6
John 14:6 KJV 1900
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

One More Example

Even though the Hebrews writer has given us multiple witnesses, he now gives us one more.
Hebrews 12:2-3
Hebrews 12:2–3 KJV 1900
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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
We call Jesus our perfect example. He, as well as the other witnesses, show us that it is possible for a man or woman to finish this life being faithful to God.
When we are wearied and faint in our minds, let us remember the example of Jesus, and the examples from Hebrews 11. Let us finish the race!
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