Hebrews 12:1-3

Run the Christian race -- Hebrews 12:1-3: This great chapter begins, "wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) These Old Testament heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:1-40) provide encouragement for the Hebrew Christians, and for us to stand up and be men for God."Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us" is one of the great Bible statements dealing with Christian living. As applied to Christians, it means that they should remove all that would obstruct their progress in the Christian race. Christianity is a race set before us by God. It is our duty to faithfully run this race."Every weight" refers to anything in the world that would hinder our faith, worship or service to God. These hindrances could be riches, honors or pleasures. We cannot allow the world to influence our mind in any way that would pull us away from our faithfulness to God."The sin that doth so easily beset us" likely refers to the sin that we have the greatest struggle with. We must avoid circumstances and conditions that would make that sin available. Therefore we must lay aside both external and internal hindrances. Get your heart right and stay away from anything that would hinder your Christian growth and service. Let us run the Christian race with endurance, looking unto Jesus.