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World of the Bible Series: Ancient Rome, Running the Race, & Looking Unto Jesus Today (Hebrews 12:1-2): One of the most beautiful descriptions of the Christian Life comes from Hebrews 12:1-2. God inspired the writer of Hebrews to compare all of our time living on earth, to being a part of a huge race.
The lessons that we can glean from these two verses are so helpful. First we need to read the passage and then follow the simple steps of summarizing the truths, pointing out key lessons, and then allowing God to apply these to our lives.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) 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 (agon) that is set before us, 2 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.
Life is an Agonizing Race: The race of Hebrews 12 is a graphic and visual scene that comes right out of the Roman World of the New Testament.
First, in the Race there are Witnesses. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”.
The witnesses in the 1st Century were the spectators that filled the stands, watched, and cheered; but were in no way a part of the race. But, in Hebrews 12, the witnesses are previous runners, saints that have already been in the arena, have finished the race and are now testifying that the Lord enabled them to finish the race, so we can also.
What we need to run the race and finish well we can learn from Hebrews 11. Here are just a few of the lessons that those who have already run ahead of us, are sharing with us. Remember that God chose the details of Hebrews 11, to encourage us as we run the race He has given us.
• The Race is about GIVING to God like Abel (Hebrews 11:4). Abel gave God what God asked for and it cost him his life. But it purchased an everlasting reward that God still speaks about.
• The Race is about WALKING with God like Enoch (Hebrews 11:5-6). Enoch sought God in a world where few others were, and God still speaks about it.
• The Race is about OBEYING to God like Noah (Hebrews 11:7). Noah obeyed God in a world where few others were, and God still speaks about it.
• The Race is about TRUSTING to God like Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-19). Abraham obeyed God in a world where few others were, and God still speaks about it. One of the ways that God encourages us is by showing what some of the obstacles we can expect in the race, and how others have found His grace to overcome them. There are four that Abraham’s race reminds us of:
1. Abraham faced the obstacle or test of the Unknown in v. 8.
2. Abraham faced the obstacle or test of Delay in v. 9.
3. Abraham faced the obstacle or test of the Unseen in v. 10.
4. Abraham faced the obstacle or test of Human Impossibility in v. 11.
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