Title: Run the Race of Faith Part-4
This is the fourth time we are considering Hebrews 12:1-2 and in my last column we focused on Hebrews 12:1b, “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.” We noted that weight is different from sin. We defined weight more as hindrance and obstacles that prevent us from running the race well. While there are plenty of things to talk about under the category of weight we limited ourselves to one specific area: News. News can be a hindrance to our Christian race if it keeps us in a constant state of agitation/anger or fear/worry.
This time let us consider the last section of Hebrews 12:1b, “Laying aside sin which clings so closely.” The author of the book of Hebrews holds no punches when it comes to the problem of sin. He tells us about the power of sin. Sin is so clingy. It is kind of an octopus using all its tentacles to grab hold of its prey. Sin is a spiritual anesthetic that numbs us to grace, hardening our hearts like concrete and draining the vibrant color from our daily joy. It sucks the joy out of our life. And it feels like we can never untangle ourselves from sin. But God tells us that sin cannot be our master for we are not under law but under grace [Romans 6:14]. God tells us that we are no longer slaves of sin, but we are slaves of righteousness [Romans 6:17-18]. God tells us because of the shed blood of Jesus we have freedom from the bondage of sin [Hebrews 9:11-14].
For some of us, it is the sin of unrighteous anger. Selfish anger. We must remind ourselves that we must be slow to get angry, for a man’s anger does not produce the righteousness of God. We must remind ourselves that a gentle answer turns away wrath and that we must be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave us. For others of us, it is the sin of a critical spirit, a murmuring spirit and a complaining spirit. We cannot say anything good about the person or the situation. We just open our mouths to complain, and grumble. We must remind ourselves of what Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” And still others of us, the sin of lust. We must do what Job did in Job 31:1, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” We must pray like the psalmist in Psalm 119: 37, “Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity.”
I can go on; you know your heart well; you know that besetting sin. The good news is that you don't fight this battle alone. By the power of the blood of Jesus, you are invited, this very moment, to untangle yourself and run free.
