WITNESSES AND RUNNING -- 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 7 of 13
" . . . and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. . . "
Salvation is not a series of wind-sprints: i.e., short and swift spurts of forward movement. Many individuals seek to make spiritual advance in the hour of crisis. That is when they seek prayer. That is when they attempt to draw near to God, fill their minds with Scripture, and devote themselves to eternal matters. They suppose such conduct will get them out of the crisis, gaining Divine favor for themselves. However, this is not a fair representation of the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Jesus did not die so we could be delivered from momentary crises! He did not give Himself to affect a temporal deliverance for us. That sort of thing occurred under the Old Covenant, and in ways most dramatic. However, "some better thing" has been provided "for us" (Heb 11:40).
Faith enters us into a race with eternity in view. When we were "given to believe" (Phil 1:29), God did not have the correction of temporal circumstances in mind, although that often occurs. The Holy Spirit has extended Himself, so to speak, to provide us with a proper perspective of the faith-life.
"So that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 5:21, NKJV). "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 21, NKJV). "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:17-18, NKJV). "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit 2:13, NKJV). "Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet 3:12). "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself" (Phil 3:20-21, NKJV).
These passages could be multiplied many times. The point to be seen is this: faith has eternity in perspective, else it is not "the faith of God's elect" (Tit 1:1).
"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . " However far you may have advanced in the Kingdom of God's dear Son, there is much more to be attained. You have not ceased to "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matt 5:6), "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matt 6:33), and "wait for His Son from heaven" (1 Thess 1:10). Faith continues to constrain you to "wait for the hope of righteousness" (Gal 5:5), "purify yourself even as He is pure" (1 John 3:3), and "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matt 6:20). You look for the changing of your "vile body" (Phil 3:20), the wiping away of your tears (Rev 7:17; 21:4), and being delivered from the "bondage of corruption" (Rom 8:21-23).
Our situation is similar to that of Israel en route to Canaan. We are out of Egypt, but in a wilderness. We still confront hostile personalities, are subject to various deprivations, and must think of where we are going. We are seeking to put a greater distance between us and the world, and a smaller distance between us and heaven.
Remember, it was only AFTER Abraham had "patiently endured" that he "obtained the promise" (Heb 6:15). AFTER he had received the promise, he had to endure nearly 25 years of impotence. He experienced the conflict of his herdsmen and those of his nephew Lot. He had to endure Hagar and Ishmael, and the mocking of Isaac. He was required to have his faith sorely tested at Mount Moriah. He certainly could not have obtained the promise with a religion of fits and starts! He endured, and so must you!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me spiritual; stamina to continue running the race You have set before me – even when it is in a storm, up hill, and in the darkness of the valley.