RUNNING LIFE'S RACE

Our lesson is taken from the first three verses of Hebrews 12.The opening verse speaks of our being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. This refers directly to the witnesses of chapter eleven. The number includes far more that those named, as indicated in verse 32 of chapter 11. Back in 1948 I heard an old preacher at Red Rock Camp west of Minneapolis state that these were in heaven looking down and witnessing our progress. However that may be, the message is not about what they are doing now, but what they did by faith while fighting life's battles down here. Note the prominence of the term "by faith" in chapter eleven.


THE WITNESSES

The whole chapter 11 is power packed with the holy history and valiant, victorious record that forms a background for our text. Across the centuries of time this column of Victors marched through trial and opposition on their way to a victor's crown. They are God's worthy witnesses, and they are our kinfolks!

There are other kinds of witnesses. They are the observers. Some are critics who watch our steps as we run life's race. St Paul is talking to us in 1 Cor. 4:9, "... for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." He is saying that we are like actors on the stage, and critical observers, men and the world are looking on. They will form opinions about the church and Christianity, and even God Himself as they watch our talk and our walk.

There is another group, our fellow Christians who may take us for their guide or pattern.


THE WEIGHT

It seems likely that the writer of Hebrews was thinking of the Olympic games. Those Greek runners were thinking, planning and preparing all year long for those contests. They must shed or avoid all excess weight. Our country is plagued with obesity. Go to any prospering buffet and take note. Few seem candidates for a contest unless it is an eating contest. But it is not body fat that is the weight in our text. These are spiritual weights. The author names the sin which doth so easily beset, or ensnare us. He is not talking about mere faults or ignorance. He plainly calls it sin.

Known sin disqualifies one for this race. There's and old song that has the refrain, "Sin can never enter there." Security at our airports is tight, and it ought to be. Yet, some get through. The divine searcher of hearts does not err. We who are pastors, or have been, have often been concerned about those under our charge, and have asked, "How are you getting along? Sometimes the reply has been, "I'm not where I ought to be." Well, if we are not where we ought to be spiritually, we are where we ought not to be.


THE WAY

This race we run is not just a sprint. It is a lifelong marathon. It is "set" before us. The course, the rules, the boundaries are all set, predetermined by the Author and Finisher of our faith. It is not like those old Olympian games where there was only one winner, and he was rewarded with a perishable crown or some insignificant thing. We are on the heavenly race course where every contestant can win a crown of everlasting life "that fadeth not away!"

In all of our athletic contests there are rules. You may cross the foul line. To run outside the base lines you will be disqualified. There are penalties assessed; even a manager can be tossed out of the game.

The Holy Bible is a lot more than a rule book, but it is a rule Book! And God says, "Don't mess with my Book! Don't rewrite it. Don't take from it and don't add to it. It's my Book!"

So take heed you Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, New Agers and all others.

The Way to Heaven is featured in Isa. 35. It is a High way, a Holy way, a Happy way and a Homeward way.

The Witness who is True and Faithful, Rev. 1:5; 3:14

Our people in Jamaica have a favorite chorus: "Jesus, He's a Way maker!" We are urged in verse two to look to Jesus, and in verse three to "Consider Him". He is the only perfect example. We will never go wrong in this troubled complex world if we follow Him!

We are not crowd pleasers. We are concerned about "pleasing Him who hath chosen (us) to be a soldier." II Tim. 2:4. If we look elsewhere to people of the world, even prominent ones, or to family or friends, we can get off track and fail.

We look to Jesus for strength, for salvation and for our Perfect Pattern. He endured the hostility of sinners, of enemies and the hatred of His own nation. In His wilderness temptation, He took the high ground and answered from the Scriptures. His will was completely surrendered to the Father's will. That course led Him to Calvary. There He paid redemptions price for us all!

Follow Jesus, and you will win the race!