“Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight” Heb. 12:1
What is it that keeps hindering you from living the ideal life you have been saved and called to live? Do you struggle with a particular sinful habit, attitude, or fear that keeps you from running your race of faith the way you ought? If so, you probably already know what it is, and I’d guess that you’ve already prayed, prayed, and prayed for victory in overcoming that problem because you really do want to please God. Every now and then, we all tolerate things in our lives that make it difficult for us to please God. And when we know we’re not pleasing God, we typically aren’t happy with ourselves either. This is one reason that Heb.12:1 tells us to “…lay aside every weight….”
Removing wrong attitudes and actions from our lives will not occur accidentally. We must deliberately decide to change — to remove, to lay aside, and to put away attitudes and actions that don’t please God and adversely affect our walk of faith. The word “weight” is from the Greek word ogkos — a word that describes a burden or something so heavy and cumbersome that it impedes a runner from running his race as he should. This word was particularly used in the athletic world to signify the actions of an athlete who would deliberately strip himself of excess weight before participating in a competition.
This stripping process included the loss of excess flesh through dieting and exercise. Then on the day of the actual competition, he stripped off nearly all his clothes so no extra weight would slow him down. He had his eye on the prize, so he was determined to strip off all “weight” that might potentially keep him from being the best athlete he could be. This sends a strong message to us! If we want to please God, satisfy ourselves, and do something significant with our lives, we have to choose to remove anything from our lives that would hinder those objectives. Once you make that decision, you’ll find yourself running your race of faith with much more ease as you press on to victory!
FURTHER READING:
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Cor. 9:24.
“You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires,” Eph. 4:22.
DECLARATION:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for timely instructions for my edification. I lay aside every weight and the things that easily slow me down, I run with patience, focus, courage and grace the race that it set before me. I embrace supernatural counsel and wisdom, I refuse to walk in the ways of natural men. I will not falter, I will not be impeded. God is with my like a mighty terrible one therefore my persecutors will stumble and fall in Jesus name. Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hosea. 1:1-11. Hosea. 2:1-23. Hosea. 3:1-5. Hosea. 4:1-19.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“When Pleasing God Is Your Ideal, Lifting You Will Be His Pet Project.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria. http://www.thefortresschurch.com. email:info@thefortresschurch.com.
