LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Free to Run the Race
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Do you as a Christian really believe in Christ? Can you trust yourself absolutely and entirely into His hand? Dare you trust Him? Or is there a streak of doubt and unbelief within you which insists upon arguing, “How can I go on if I give up to world?”
If we truly desire to run the race we must lay aside the sin of unbelief and cast ourselves upon the Lord and trust Him. To lay aside sin, and especially the sin of unbelief, constitutes the first requirement which must be fulfilled if we would run after God in response to His love.
But secondly, we must lay aside every weight which would heavily weigh us down. Weight may not necessarily be sin; may be legitimate, lawful, and even respectable. Suppose I clothe myself with, among other things, a shirt, a coat, a heavy pair of shoes. This is legitimate, this is appropriate - if I am not running a race.
But if I am running a race, then all these articles are quite unnecessary. Not only unnecessary, but they all become a burden to me! They weigh me down. They hinder me from running well. I have to strip myself to the uttermost, to the least necessaries, to the barest essentials. Then, I am free to run the race.
With some people it may be sin, with so many others it is heavy weights. Oh, the cares of this life; the ease, the comfort, the luxury of it all. The many good things in this life. These elements may not be bad; they may in fact be very good and very respectful.
But, if we desire them to such an extent that we must have them, if we desire them to such a degree that we cannot exist without them, to such a degree that they become a weight and a load upon us, then they hinder us from running fast; nay, they may hinder us from running at all! Our souls are not able to rise and ascend. (Stephen Kaung).