It is written by THE SPIRIT in Hebrews chapter 12:
1 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,
2 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.
We have an endurance race set before us and it involves our belief system. We begin this race because we have faith in the reality of Jesus Christ and we will finish this race because of that same faith IN HIM. Each and every day we must remind ourselves of the value of this race when we are challenged by the world’s logic, reasoning, and devices. In order to run a more effective race we must not carry any unnecessary weight or allow sin which may easily distract us throughout this race.
Jesus knew the joy that was set before Him as He endured the cross and disregarded the shame. This joy is much greater than the cross or shame thus we must trust IN HIM as we proceed in the race. The finish line will be worth the commitment of enduring the race. It takes more faith for the second half of the race than the first half. Many will start the race but once fatigue sets in then faith must come forth to overcome the stress. Those with little or no faith will not finish the race. Their minds and emotions will convince them to stop, rest, and pursue the path of least resistance. Those who are mature in faith will press on and disregard their own emotions knowing that the prize at the end is greater then the temporary challenges they now face.
As we walk in faith, we take on the qualities of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. His Love begins to be expressed in our lives as well. His compassion also comes forth in the situations we find ourselves in. We will begin to respond in like manner to Jesus as we face the challenges before us. In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus spoke:
10 ”Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Our great reward is in Heaven when we have completed the race. When evil is spoken against us we should respond in like manner as Jesus responded. Those who are our enemies should see Jesus in us, not our reactive ego. Paul described Love’s response in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails.
These are the qualities of Jesus Who is the Author of our faith. We should expect to respond in the same manner as we run the race set before us. This passage provides us a template by which we can measure the progress of our race. If we are lacking in an area where our response is less than Loving, let our focus on that area root out whatever is keeping us from walking accordingly for we must lay aside that weight. Jesus knows the race is worth the cost so let our faith in Him acknowledge this reality as well.