"Hebrews 12"

Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us lay aside/strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily ensnares us/trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us… The bible here is telling us to get rid of everything that hinders us, the sin that so easily entangles us, every weight that slows us down. Whatever it is that’s keeping us from totally focusing on God and the things of God, that’s keeping us from totally surrendering and serving God.

So let’s pause. Let’s take a moment and look at our lives, and ask ourselves what weight we are carrying around, what’s the thing that has us bound and pressed down, what’s hindering us….

Because for us to progress in this race of faith we need to get rid, lay aside, strip off any and everything that is pulling us backwards, or that has us stuck and stagnant.

Whether it be friends/family, the company we keep can be a weight and a hindrance in our lives, what we feed our souls or what we dwell on can be a weight and a hindrance: book, movies or tv shows, music, places you may go….all these things could be really pulling you back and be a hindrance as to how far you will progress in this race of faith

Some people are unknowingly tripping themselves up in their walk with God because of what they entertain.

You’re carrying around unnecessary weight, weight that needs to be stripped off, laid aside….anger-bitterness-depression-jealousy, envy, unforgiveness…etc.

Matthew 18: 8-9 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.  9  And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell

I believe what Jesus is talking about here is exactly what Hebrews 12: 1 is talking about when it says let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us…. Because the bottom line is if it causes you to sin cut it out, if it causes you to drift away from God cut it out, if it’s tempting you and luring you into things that are not of God cut it out.

Let us lay aside every weight, let us strip off everything that is slowing us down/keeping us from giving God our all, and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.