By Peter Biggs

Hebrews 12:1

The act of running is vastly different from walking. Major muscles of lift the body momentarily off the ground each step. In exercise a slow run is vastly more challenging than a fast walk. That the writer describes the Christian life as a run is significant. Ongoing effort and application is implied. The support of others essential.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great a cloud of witnesses,

It's an odd thing to consider that beings in heaven can and do see us living our lives. But whether or not they see us, is academic, we are to consider them. There are also those who have gone before us, the examples of Biblical people. However we are NOW surrounded by other Christians, the cumulative weight of which is considerable. Our lives are watched, but we see people who are overcoming life challenges in Christ. People who give testimony to the importance of God in their lives - inspiring 'overcomers'. If we are to look forward to Jesus we are to around for examples of living the life of faith.

Weights and sins - there is a difference - it's important we discern the difference?!

Weights...
let us throw off everything that hinders (lay aside every weight - ESV)
The word everything definitely implies that there are lots of them!

Weights from the past - BAGGAGE I am single. I have met other middle aged singles. On dating sites the term 'no baggage' is a common one. It refers to lingering hurts - offenses - injustice done us, often from divorces. To lay aside such hurt is not instant or easy, but it does take decisiveness. Joining the DivorceCare group, making an appointment with a counselor, expressing forgiveness (before you feel it) - releasing a spirit of 'blaming'... it's a process. The ongoing unprocessed presence of such 'weights' disqualifies us from so much, and indeed takes us out the race.

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Weights in the present - STUFF!!! If you have moved lately (or helped someone) you know something about this. Sometimes we resort to 'retail therapy'... shopping can make us feel better, but over time it adds weight, concern about possessions.

Weights regarding the future - ANXIETY It is a significant that God's Word to us simply tells us to stop it! "do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?.." Matthew 6:25
These are empowering words. God is in effect telling us 'YOU can simply stop anxiety'. This of course refers to the everyday rational worries (not extreme phobia or anxiety attacks...). It may refer to us choosing to not fixate or even think about certain 'scenarios'. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, choosing to worship, in the face of danger.

Sins...
and the sin that so easily entangles (clings so closely - ESV)
What a picture of sin. Clinging. Hindering. Impeding. Burdoning. Distracting, Entangling. The NIV has it 'THE' sin. We all know there are some sins that entangle more than others:
Certain sins can lead to addictions - they are obvious.
But perhaps the writer has in mind sins that are less obvious. Sin retained leads to insensitivity - we no longer identify the sin... it HAS clung SO closely as to have become part of us.. pride, gossip, subtle forms of untruthfulness, grumbling...

we no longer identify the sin...
it HAS clung so closely as to have become part of us.

Gary DeLashmutt of Xenos Christian Fellowship in Ohio comments,
"This doesn't mean that you can't run the race if you commit sins (we'd all be out of the race!) - it means that you can't stay in the race long if you are clutching on to and rationalizing things that you know God says are wrong and destructive. When you're clutching on to and rationalizing sexual immorality or substance abuse/dependence, it will sap your motivation and stamina. When you clutch on to and rationalize bitterness and hatred, it will sap your motivation and stamina (Eph.4:32 context). When you're clutching on to and rationalizing things like materialistic greed, it will sap your motivation and stamina (Mk.4:18,19).

By distinguishing "the sin that so easily hinders our progress" from "every weight that slows you down," the author implies that even things that are not overtly morally wrong can be suitcases that we need to lay aside - because they simply don't fit into the course/race God has set before us."

November 26/2009