Weighed Down
Hebrews 12. Chapter 12 is about running the race of faith successfully, yet the word winning isn't mentioned once. Rather, the writer emphasized endurance and discipline. Without these qualities, the race can't be finished and finished well. In v.1 he tells us to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us..." Notice, it's two things we are called to lay aside: 1) Weight and 2) Sin. We know the sin we struggle with. No one has to tell us that. The Holy Spirit already has. But often we overlook the 'good things' that hinder our walk with Christ. Weight is not necessarily a bad thing here. It could actually be a good thing. In fact runners will often train with weights strapped around their ankles. But on race day, they 'lay them aside', take them off.
The story is told of the army of Alexander the Great advancing on Persia. At one critical point, it appeared that his troops might be defeated. The soldiers had taken so much plunder from their previous campaigns that they had become weighted down and were losing their effectiveness in combat. Alexander immediately commanded that all the spoils be thrown into a heap and burned. The men complained bitterly but soon came to see the wisdom of the order. Someone wrote, "It was as if wings had been given to them--they walked lightly again." Victory was assured.
Let me ask you, how much time did you spend last week reading magazines, newspapers, or novels? How much time did you spend watching TV or surfing the internet? How much time did you spend reading countless emails of the same old circulated stories? But how much time did you spend feeding your soul on the Word of God? My dear friends, it's time to wake up! You are in a race which calls for the best that is in you. What is the weight which is slowing you down in your Christian life? Ask yourself in everything you do, 'Does this help or hinder my spiritual life?' It really isn't hard if we are only willing to face it.
The story is told of the army of Alexander the Great advancing on Persia. At one critical point, it appeared that his troops might be defeated. The soldiers had taken so much plunder from their previous campaigns that they had become weighted down and were losing their effectiveness in combat. Alexander immediately commanded that all the spoils be thrown into a heap and burned. The men complained bitterly but soon came to see the wisdom of the order. Someone wrote, "It was as if wings had been given to them--they walked lightly again." Victory was assured.
Let me ask you, how much time did you spend last week reading magazines, newspapers, or novels? How much time did you spend watching TV or surfing the internet? How much time did you spend reading countless emails of the same old circulated stories? But how much time did you spend feeding your soul on the Word of God? My dear friends, it's time to wake up! You are in a race which calls for the best that is in you. What is the weight which is slowing you down in your Christian life? Ask yourself in everything you do, 'Does this help or hinder my spiritual life?' It really isn't hard if we are only willing to face it.
HOW TO RUN THE RACE
Find a trainer: Rely on the Holy Spirit for His help.
Follow a game plan: Read God's Word.
Work out regularly: Put your faith into action.
No pain, no gain.
Know pain, great gain..
[Unknown source]
posted by Royce Hendry at
5:58 AM
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