Engaging with Joy, Part 2

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2b

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

Insights: Yesterday we looked at those witnesses surrounding our lives which encourage us to remain faithful to our Lord Jesus.  Today, we move to the next part which deals with winning the race.  We win the race by having our faith perfected.  This perfecting happens in two ways.  First, we throw off everything that hinders us, which is sin that entangles us.  Think for a moment about how seriously Jesus told us to deal with sin.  If our right hand should offend us, what ought we to do with it?  Cut it off.  If our eye causes us to sin, what ought we to do with it?  Pluck it out.  In other words, we are to deal drastically with sin.  We must not let it in any way trip us up on this race we are running.  Second, and by far the most important aspect of this perfecting, we must fix our eyes on Jesus.  Think about a track race for just a moment.  As those runners are heading toward the finish line are they looking side to side to see where their competitors are in the race?  Absolutely not!  Do they tilt backward with their head held high?  Again, no!  They are looking straight ahead with their eyes fixed on that ribbon.  Their bodies are leaning forward to give them every inch of advantage as they approach that ribbon.  We are to run this spiritual race with the same kind of fixation as these Olympians run a foot race.  The difference is our finish line is not a ribbon, but a person, Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith.  This second point is the key to the first part.  We are incapable in and of ourselves to throw off everything that hinders us.  We cannot miss the trap set before us in sin that so easily entangles us.  Jesus, however, can throw off those things that hinder us.  Jesus can prevent us from being entangled in sin.  So, how do we engage this world with joy?  We do it by living our lives in and through Jesus.  He is the One who empowers us and fills us with joy.  He is the One who gives us the strength to remain faithful and become a witness to others.  Everything you do ought to be done through the lens of Jesus.  Surrender to His Lordship and be blessed.

Questions:

1. What sins are entangling your life?
2. Are you fixing your eyes on Jesus or the things of this world?

Prayer: Father, forgive me of my sin and change my vision to be transfixed upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen.