Let Us Lay Aside Every Weight And Run With Patience the Race Set Before Us - Part 1016

"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." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might have salvation. But in following Jesus, one might be inclined to ask -- what is the race that is set before us? Particularly, when all around us the worldly constructs and diversions tend to take us away from the gospel of His kingdom. It's certainly a good question.

First, that we remember the first commandment -- to love our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth and [things] in heaven, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord -- to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

Second, we seek Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby -- if so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious." (I Peter 2:2-3)

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power." (Ephesians 1:19)

Third, we repent and be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ -- as presented in every example of water baptism in the scriptures.

"Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37-38)

"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)

"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:1-10)

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God, when Christ [who is] our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)

Fourth, recognize that Jesus has a specific purpose for your life, and when you seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, you will be renewed.

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye are also builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Fifth, let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

"For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot -- who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you." (I Peter 1:18-20)

Sixth, let Jesus lead you into all truth.

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

Seventh, never let go of the message that ye heard from the beginning, and your first love for your Saviour.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is -- and every man that hath this hope in HIm purifieth himself, even as He is pure." (I John 3:1-3)

Eighth, salvation is the gift of God -- not of works lest any man should boast.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works ..." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called." (I Peter 2:9)

"... the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and with out hypocricy -- and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:17-18)

Ninth, Jesus is the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not -- but as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God [even] to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-18)

"In that He saith, "A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that whch decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away .... the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Hebrews 8:13- Hebrews 9:1-28)

Tenth, stand in the offering plate with Christ. Let us lay aside every weight that takes us away from our unique purpose. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice, I will come into Him, and will sup with Him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I overcame and am set down with My Father in His throne."

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit of the Lord saith to each and every one of us. Blessings in Jesus' nae.