FAITH RACE< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Hebrews 12:1-24

The journey of life is a race of life. A race is often run under a cloud of witnesses and a great cloud of witnesses surrounds the one who is running for life. The race is not run-able by strength or by determination, but only by the grace of God. Hebrews 12:1, ÒTherefore 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.Ó The race is already set and as a result, we have no choice but to run and to run requires endurance that cannot be generated by anything or anyone but by the grace of God. The race will not identify the first, second or third but it will identify those who run it from the beginning to the finish line. In the running of this race, every baggage weight should be laid aside because too much weight will slow any runner down. Slowing down will bring forth the temptation of abandoning the race. Abandoning the race will lead to eternal damnation which is eternal abandonment from Heaven. What kinds of weight are you carrying in your race? Unforgiveness, lying, deception, manipulation, keeping malice, fornication, adultery, stealing and all kinds of evil devices that frequents the baggage of believers are weights that will no doubt lead to termination in the race to the expected end. We do have a need for endurance to run the race knowing fully well that the race is not of determination. It is not of carrying any kind of baggage along that will build up the understanding in us for the need not to finish the race right. Running the race with endurance can only be set up by looking up unto Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who came to supply us the fuel that is the Blood, for effective running. The Blood of Jesus (fuel) never runs out neither would it ever be short supply and not be enough for all who are in the race. ÒLooking 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. (Hebrews 12:2) In the race of life, it is not affordable to look or attempt to look outside of the One who has been at the beginning of the race and will be waiting for us at the end of the race. It is only the one who you look up to that you can take all concerns and cares up to. When there is a failure to look up to Him, you will end up taking it up wrongly and it will turn around and become labor or a heavy laden upon you. Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, petitions us Himself to, ÒCome to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Ó (Matthew 11:28) Be encouraged and donÕt be discouraged in this race of life. Hold on to Him by keeping your eyes on Him and He will see you through. It is only with Jesus that this race can be run while still being at rest and peace.