“Therefore, 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, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
There’s so much to unpack in just the first two verses of Hebrews 12. The author says, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” The witnesses are the believers listed in Hebrews 11. We learned and were encouraged by the faith of the greats of the Bible, like Abraham, Noah, and Enoch. The author informed us that although they could not physically see God's promises, they believed in God’s word. And because of their belief, they received promises such as Abraham’s promised child Issac and Noah’s promise of salvation from the flood.
The author encouraged us with the faith of these witnesses, and now, beginning in Chapter 12, he tells us that since we have so many witnesses of people trusting God and receiving promises because of their faith, then we should put aside every weight and sin that prevents or hinders us from running our race. The witnesses are proof that we can run the race. We can endure. We can keep the faith and receive the promise of salvation, joy, peace, and everlasting life; however, we must lay aside weights and sins that easily ensnare us. Notice two things here:
1. We should lay aside weights and sins.
2. These weights and sins easily ensnare us.
Sin is a transgression against God’s law. So, if God commands a thing and we go against it, we are in sin. We know Christ died; therefore, the price of sin is paid if we have accepted Him. However, after accepting Christ, we must decide to lay sin aside. Although sin can easily ensnare or trap us, we do have the power to remain free in Christ through the help of the Holy Spirit. Yet, it is crucial to remember that sin is just as the Bible proclaims it to be. It is slavery.
Sin traps us and keeps us in destruction. It leads to death, and ultimately, without repentance, it leads to an eternal casting away from God. It is a trap, often set in place by Satan, as he did Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Sin is a trap. He lured Eve into sin, and Adam quickly followed. That trap resulted in a failing away from all things good and holy. It kept them away from the beautiful garden and the presence of God. Not only did they fall, but… and they fell easily.
All it took was a whisper from Satan. All it took was a tempting look, a fleshly desire that gave way to lust. And when lust was fulfilled, sin was conceived, which led to death—death of all things good, and eventually physical death, something God never intended. And again, it was easy.
So, as believers, we need to be cautious and understand that it is easy to fall into sin. No one is above falling. Yet, if we, as the Hebrew author said, look to Jesus, the falling can be prevented. Yet, sin is not the only thing the author mentions. He also said to lay aside every weight that easily ensnares.
A weight is not necessarily a sin. Yet, it could prevent you from running the race as you ought. A weight could be a distraction. For example, hobbies, sports, or any source of entertainment such as social media, movies, TV, or books are not necessarily evil, and partaking in these things is not necessarily sinful. However, if partaking in these things hinders your harmony with God, then it becomes a weight.
If you become so engulfed in something (be it people, places, or things) that it distracts you from intimacy with God, it is a weight that must be laid aside. You can certainly enjoy life and be entertained. It is a beautiful freedom that we have, especially in America. However, if these things, people, or circumstances interfere with hearing God by reading the Bible or talking to God through prayer, they must go.
Again, the distractions of the world easily entangle us. Wasn’t Martha distracted by housework when Jesus was in her home? Of course, Martha’s housework needed to be done, but Jesus was in her presence. For that moment, housework should have been temporarily laid to the side.
Sometimes, we need to momentarily lay aside necessary things to commune with the Lord. Even important tasks and duties can become weights that distract us if we do not prioritize Jesus first. Of course, things need to be done, and work is necessary, but Jesus is what’s most needful (Luke 10:40-42).
Weights and sin can easily trap us, but there is an escape: “Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” If we just looked to Jesus, we wouldn’t fall so easily. In fact, if we never took our eyes off Him, I’m convinced we wouldn’t fall at all. Yet, we are human. Sometimes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, our eyes fall away from Him. And when that occurs, we fall.
But the beauty in Jesus being the author and finisher of our faith is encouraging. As an author, there’s not a single word written on any page in any book I’ve written that wasn’t intentional. The words on the pages of my books were predetermined. Preplanned. Well-thought out and executed. I am human, so occasionally, I find errors sprinkled here and there, but overall, an author’s words and plans for a book are carefully crafted and handled with care, intentionality, and dedication.
How much more do you suppose Jesus, our perfect High Priest, carefully crafted your story and faith? As the author and finisher of your faith, Christ is intentional, dedicated, and an excellent executor. He preplanned your faith in Him. Both your faith and your life were well-thought-out even before your existence. You’ll find no error sprinkled throughout your life’s book. It’s all deliberate and handled with care by a wise and influential author who not only began writing your life story and faith in Him but will finish it with immense accuracy and love.
He will finish it.
Your faith in Him, your life in devotion to Him… He will finish it. “He that has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). The Hebrew author goes on to say many things in Chapter 12 that I was unable to review in this article without prolonging the time … Lord’s will, I will return next week with more. However, one of the things the author mentioned is something God does to finish the work He has started in us.
Every good author completes a story. They will not leave it undone. Please know that if you are still in the land of the living, Jesus is not finished with your story. He is the author and finisher of your faith, and He will flawlessly pen the rest of your story if you allow Him to.
So, lay aside every weight and sin that easily traps you. Put aside the distractions, prioritize Jesus, and focus. Allow the good author to finish what He has started in you. Let the good author write.
That’s all I have for you today. Be blessed, and until next time, take care.
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Have a blessed day!
Sincerely,
Quin Arrington
I am so glad that Jesus is The Author of my story!👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾