Based on Hebrews 12:1-3 (New King James Version)
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
Vince Lombardi (considered by many to be one of the most successful American football coaches of all time) said: “I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.” In addition to Vince being a successful football coach, he was also a very religious man with a strong faith in God. So his quote did not just involve football, but much more than that.
That is also what the writer of Hebrews is reminding us about; that there is something set before those of us that have made a choice to follow Christ. He reminds us that we do have a great cloud of witnesses; some are human witnesses, and of course, the larger and more important crowd are the witnesses of the spiritual world. God sees everything we do. And not only God, but angels, and unfortunately, Satan and his demons see things as well. There is a world that we cannot see that is much larger than we can ever imagine. So, for better or for worse, you are never alone. There is always someone watching. But the writer of Hebrews tries to instill in us that there are things that we need to do in order to continue moving forward, and this is what many people forget along the way. When we come to Christ, and are born again in Him (if the miracle has truly happened), there should always be a progression in a person’s life; a “spiritual” progression. Here he explains that there is a race. And of course, to every race, there is a beginning and there is an end.
Our prime example is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, although being the only begotten Son of God, was born into this world with the purpose to take our shape and form, and become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. For the Bible explains that remission of sins can only be possible through the shedding of innocent blood. So the only way that our sins could be eternally washed away was by the shedding of innocent and divine blood. This is what makes eternal salvation possible. Otherwise, if the sacrifice would have been made by a regular person (even if it were possible that they would have been sinless), that would have lasted only so long. God (the Eternal and Holy One) had to shed His blood so we can be forgiven and our sin washed away for all eternity.
Coming back to the example of Christ, He was born. He grew up and learned. He became a man. He obeyed by even being baptized as an adult, before starting His public ministry. After that, He even endured temptation. He walked preaching the Gospel and doing different miracles, going from place to place, never staying too long. Always moving forward. His time came, and He was betrayed. He was beaten, bruised, and of course, crucified. Even though He had the power to free Himself, He did not do it. He kept moving forward with the plan. He was hung on the cross; nailed, and in agonizing pain, until his human body couldn’t take anymore. Right before His last breath, He said, “It is finished”. He never stopped. He always kept going forward, until the bidder carnal end. He shed the very last drop of blood and water left in His body for you and for me. What if Christ would have stopped moving forward, becoming complacent and just continued preaching and doing miracles?
So, what this teaches us is that we always have to continue moving forward; no matter what the cost; no matter what obstacles or challenges we may encounter along the way; no matter if we are with people that support us, or if we are completely alone. If He didn’t stop because He loved us, is it fair for us to be complacent, and to stay within our comfort zone? The Bible teaches us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. So, fear is not an option. It is also written: “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39. Like a river flows, so should God flow through us; never stopping; always moving; never stagnating.
The Apostle Paul had this to say as well: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:7-20.
So, are you moving forward in Him, with everything you got; or are you stuck somewhere, following something else? Lord bless! John