Running The Race

Hebrews 12:1-13

Our Scripture passage today from the Epistle to the Hebrews brings up two main topics, each of which is important and helpful for our Christian life and walk.  The first is running the race of faith in verses 1-2. The second is receiving the discipline of God in verses 3-11. Let’s see what we can learn from God’s Word today.

Although I am not an athletic person by any means, I do enjoy watching some sporting events, especially the Olympics every four years.  One that is fun to watch is track and field, especially the races. One thing that you’ll never see is the runners competing wearing heavy backpacks, or wearing bulky, constricting clothes.  Athletes strip away anything unnecessary before running a race. They want nothing on them that will hinder their progress down the track. The writer here in Hebrews compares our Christian life to that of an athlete running a race (vs. 1-2).  Just as an athlete does, we must let go of anything that hinders our relationship with God. We cannot succeed in this race with things of this world and sins that would weigh us down. Anything that keeps us from running wholeheartedly and with determination and endurance must be cast off.

One thing that helps an athlete to keep going is to think of the finish line.  They keep their mind focused on one thing - the goal. They also can hear the cheering of the crowds, which helps in urging them onward.  When we run the Christian race, we are inspired by the examples of those who have gone before us (vs. 1). Our eyes should be fixed on Jesus, just like the runner’s eyes are on the finish line (vs. 2).  We will stumble if we look away from Him to ourselves, our circumstances, or to others. The best way to walk a straight line towards something is to keep one's eyes fixed on that point, not looking down or around.

The author continues on in his epistle to give the readers encouragement.  Many of them had become discouraged through the trials they were going through.  We all go through struggles, and some of them can be very difficult. Here in Hebrews we are encouraged not to give up (vs. 3-4).  If we decide to give up we are choosing to believe that Satan and his power is stronger than Christ, who is within us. That is not true (I John 4:4).  We are letting Satan win a battle if we give up on letting God see us through a difficulty. Do not give up before you receive God’s blessing.

The second important point that the author has in this passage has to do with receiving discipline from God (vs. 5-11).  We’ve all seen children who have not received any discipline from their parents. They run all over, getting into all sorts of trouble.  They are never told “no”, and do whatever they want. They are nothing but trouble, and ultimately they come to no good. A good parent will give godly and loving discipline to their children.  They aren’t abusive, but they don’t let their children run wild.

God is a loving Father to us, His children, and accordingly will discipline us like a loving father would (vs. 5-6).  God uses trials and sufferings in our life to educate and discipline believers. They are evidence that He truly loves us.  All of us are imperfect and need discipline and training. All true children of God are chastened at one time or another. No one likes to be disciplined because it requires a change in our behavior and attitude.  Our deeply entrenched sinfulness and attitudes are dug out. It is painful and difficult.

How do we respond to discipline?  Do we accept it with resignation, or with self-pity, thinking we don’t deserve it?  Are we angry and resentful towards God? We need to accept it with gratitude to a loving Father.  Cooperating with God when He corrects us helps to make us more like Him (vs. 11).

God is also like a dedicated, firm coach, who pushes the athlete to do their best, pushing on to victory.  We must not allow circumstances to get the best of us. Endure, get our second wind, and continue the race (vs. 12-13).  Run the race in Jesus’ strength, not our own, keeping our eyes fixed on Him.