STARTING THE RACE WELL

These are based on my notes on Pastor Bailey’s sermon.

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

Life is a race. And for every believer who has given his life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, it is important to start it well and to end it well.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with patience the race that is set before us

There are “spectators” in this race. The Bible assures us that God has ordained angelic beings for every Christian. We are not alone.

But probably one more important thing to remember is that GOD HAS ORDAINED FOR EACH ONE OF US OUR SPECIAL RACE/SPECIAL COURSE. Each one of us HAS TO BE in this God-ordained course! And every child of God has a DIFFERENT course to take.

It’s like a family wherein the parents went over out of town, and leaving their two kids behind, they have given each one different tasks. One child is in charge of the lawn, while the other should clean up the kitchen. As they begin to do their chores, the one in charge of the kitchen gets tired, and seeing that the lawn needs to be improved, he goes out and helps his other sibling to mow the lawn. When the parents arrive, they commend the child in charge of the lawn, but become disappointed with the other one in charge of the kitchen.

We are not pleasing God if we are running a different course. That’s why we have to seek God earnestly for Him to reveal to us the course He has set for us because we cannot get our guidance by looking at somebody else and doing what they do. Be sure that you’re on the right course!

KEYS TO TRIUMPH ALONG OUR GOD ORDAINED COURSE

Just as child Jesus grew in stature, in knowledge, and in grace (Luke 2:52), so must we in our lives.

1. GROW IN STATURE. Keep your body fit – you may not know it, but your physical body affects the spiritual too. Exercise improves blood circulation, including brain perfusion, so that one tends to think more clearly. We have to be physically strong and fit, as some ministries entail a lot of work and muscle. You cannot be a couch potato. Also some food that we take can influence our mood and emotions (like, ahem… chocolates! It containes endorphin-like molecules which can psychiatrically alter one’s thinking and behavior)

2. GROW IN KNOWLEDGE. This is a very important point. In the book of Daniel, it says “knowledge shall increase”, and it is increasing! But to grow in knowledge, we have to prepare ourselves for Bible STUDY. Not just a devotional soiree with God, but an in-depth STUDY of the Word of God. To help us understand more the importance of knowledge, read :

2 Peter 3:15-16 : As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

It tells us two things to avoid in life because they would eventually be destroyed.

A. the Unlearned. In the book of Hosea, it says that the “people are destroyed because of lack of knowledge.”

B. the Unstable. The Bible tells us in Genesis 49:3-4 that Reuben is as unstable as water because of his immorality.

3. GROW IN GRACE. Grace can be thought of as divine enablement and divine strength. We are told in 2 Corinthians 12 that the Lord’s grace is sufficient. Grace is given to fulfill the will of God, and ONLY the will of God.

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let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.

There are also obstacles in this race. It is described in Scriptures as “the sin which doth so easily beset us” or what we will term as the BESETTING SIN. Everyone has besetting sins! Everyone has his/her own weakness. It could be laziness, lust, dishonesty, greed, or pride, etc. Our main frailty will bring us down if not dealt with under the mercy and grace of God.

Realizing what your besetting sin is VERY IMPORTANT. If you still don’t know what you have to overcome, ASK GOD!

Some important points:

• 1. Are you on the right path?
• 2. Are you STUDYING the Word of God? It’s more than just READING. You have to make a commitment to STUDY the Word of God. That will keep you from being unlearned, and unstable. In James, it says “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”. If you have wavering faith, don’t think you shall receive anything from God!
• 3. In KNOWing the will of God, STAY on the path, and FINISH the course. But you need God’s grace! If we do not stay on the path, our wicked works weaken our minds and turns us against God.
• 4. Realize and triumph (by God’s grace) over your besetting sin.

God bless us all!