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. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

How To Run The Race

Life can be filled with many struggles that test the faith of the strongest disciple. The first century Jewish Christians faced a great many challenges as they learned to leave the trappings of the Law of Moses for the blessings of the covenant of Christ. It was not an easy road to travel as their fellow countrymen turned their backs on them, ridiculed them, and brought suffering to their lives.

The writer of Hebrews attempts to encourage and lift up the spirits of the downtrodden by reminding them of the many examples of faith that preceded them. They faced trials but did not give up their faith. Many of the unnamed suffered death by stoning, the sword, and the saw and suffered afflictions and torments. These faithful saints never lost their faith as they looked to a city prepared for them by God.

A testimony of saints who have received their reward reminds the disciples of the hope in Christ. As a crowd of witnesses, the saints who have died stand as pillars of faith to those who continue to fight the good fight and never give up. Those in the race of life are spirited on by the shouts of the faithful, pushing them forward to maintain their faith. There is no reason to give up when so many have shown faith in remaining steadfast.

What does it take to run the race of life with a faithful spirit and love for the Lord? Runners need to eliminate any encumbrances that hinder their running. A runner would not attempt to run with a heavy coat or armor. The runners of faith must learn to run without the trappings of the world holding them back or making their run ineffective. Faith must remove anything that would hinder the race of a saint.

Sin must be removed from the heart of a man running the race because it is the heaviest weight that hinders the Christian runner. Evil habits, immoral practices, whatever part of sin there may be, will only impede the race of the child of God. These things must be eliminated. Trying to run the Christian race with one foot in the world is impossible. It takes both feet to run the race that leads to eternal life.

Running is hard and exhausting. To run the Christian race requires running. This is not a cakewalk or a stroll. There is running involved in the actions of the Christian. With that running comes endurance and perseverance. Having a spirit of faith and devotion to God, the Christian runs with purpose and the fortitude to run the entire race without giving up. Many will be the time when the spirit becomes discouraged. Don’t give up, and do not stop running. Look to Jesus as the hope of what is found in eternal life and the joy of heaven. He ran His race and lived without sin. All sin and fall short of the glory of God, but the Christian is a runner who keeps his focus on Jesus Christ and runs away from the world.

The race that is run for the Christian ends at the throne of God. It is a glorious race filled with other runners who struggle. The company of runners share a common road with a common goal in mind. Those who have died are a cloud of witnesses that the race can be run faithfully. The runners on the course with us also witness the joy of ending our race in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Run good today. Help someone else run good today. Above all – keep running.