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Lay Aside Every Weight
Lay Aside Every Weight
This chapter is the concluding application of the thoughts on FAITH in God and the many examples that have been recorded for us. Chapter 11 was in fact a great history lesson to learn the basic story of the Old Testament. BUT such history lessons also have to be applied. So here is the exhortation:
“ (1) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Following Jesus obviously involves more than mental ascent to a proposition. Faith includes faithfulness in observing, keeping, obeying the very lifestyle and teachings of Jesus (cp. Matt. 28:18-20). Before we chose to follow Jesus, we picked up a lot of baggage, baggage of unholiness and ungodliness. Now it is time to lay all of that aside. One of the biggest continuous challenges is to live faithfully. Thus the challenge, commandment, and promise: “'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) The constant challenge to these early disciples was in fact such faithfulness. Every day they were challenged in their trust in Jesus. Is He really LORD of all? Is He really king of kings? Is He really the way, truth, and life? Is He really the ONLY way back to an acceptable relationship with God? In spite of the challenge, let us lay aside such sin of unfaithfulness that so easy besets us. Let us take up our cross, crucifying OUR self and OUR old ways, and follow HIM. Be faithful!
Hugh DeLong
