WITNESSES AND RUNNING " . . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. . ." -- Tomorrow:
"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, 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. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Heb 12:1-4)
Devotion 5 of 13
Impeding Weights
The "race that is set before us" is possibly long, and leads through treacherous terrain. It requires agility of soul, and does not allow for excess baggage. Every believer will confront moral and spiritual "weights" that make it difficult to live by faith. Often, these "weights" are not unlawful of themselves. It is not so much that they contradict the Word of the King. Rather, they tend to detract from the goal, tempting the individual to make this world primary. These "weights" are personal matters, and thus are not precisely defined. Their identity requires the assessment of the hearer more than that of the writer.
The nature of the faith-life, or running the race set before us, demands that we run with as few hindrances as possible. A cross country runner who carries a backpack laden with rocks, in the key race, is not wise, to say the least. A fighter who places a hundred-pound weight on one of his hands should not expect to win the contest. Yet, I have witnessed people attempting to navigate from earth to glory with unnecessary weights and encumbrances. It was not long until they dropped out of the race from spiritual fatigue. That fatigue was owing more to the conflicting weights that they carried than the length or hardship of the race itself. Some will counter that runners do, in fact, practice with weights on their ankles. This is true. But none of them run for the prize with those weights--and you are running to "obtain" the prize (1 Cor 9:26).
The way leading to life is "strait (difficult) and narrow" (Matt 7:14). It will not allow for a lot of excess baggage. For one rich young ruler, his possessions proved too weighty for him to follow Jesus (Matt 19:16- 22). For another, wrapping everything up at home stood between him and discipleship (Luke 9:61-62). For Judas, thirty pieces of silver proved too large a weight to allow entrance into life (Matt 26:15-16). For Esau, a desire for food was a "weight" that disqualified him for the inheritance (Heb 12:16). Whatever makes it more difficult to run the race is a "weight." If it impedes your progress, it is a "weight." Things that require attention and commitment that belong to God alone are "weights." Such things deplete your spiritual energy, but offer no corresponding spiritual value or resources.
And what are we to do with such "weights?" We are to "lay aside every weight" (KJV, RSV, NASB). The NIV reads "throw off everything that hinders." The word translated "lay aside" or "throw off" means throw off, to be done with; take off. It is a strong one, and is not to be seen as a casual activity. In the form used in this text, it is used three other times in the Apostolic writings. (1) "Therefore, PUTTING AWAY lying . . . " (Eph 4:25). (2) "Therefore LAY ASIDE all filthiness and overflow of wickedness . . . " (James 1:21). (3) "Therefore, LAYING ASIDE all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking" (1 Pet 2:1).
The language suggests deliberation and firm resolve. This is not something done rashly or in haste. Our perception of the nature of this race, together with the recollection of the saints who have gone before us, will compel us to discard what hinders us.
This is an intensely personal thing. It is not something we are to apply to our brethren, but an activity in which we ourselves are to regularly engage. Our hearts are to be tender enough, and our vision clear enough, to assess what is making it difficult for us to run the race that is set before us. Our decision is to be based upon spiritual understanding. We may, for example, suppose working for a living impedes our progress. Then, upon quitting our job, we find we have even greater hindrances. Live close enough to the Lord to be able to make this assessment, and receive strength to thrust impeding weights from you. Your effort to cast aside such things will be undergirded by Divine power!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to cast from myself anything and everything that complicates my relationship to You.