Let Us Lay Aside Every Weight
Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
If we were running in a race, and wanted to finish it, that we might win; we would remove every weight from our pockets, every backpack, every jacket; all that would catch the air, or hinder our running.
This is a long distance race which is being spoken of here in Hebrews; and we need all patience and endurance to finish it. Therefore, we are called upon to remove what would weight us down.
Just what are these weights?
These weights are anything and everything that hinders us spiritually.
They are external things that we can drop or “lay aside”. (Certain relationships are weights, going to certain places can hinder us, and past failures and thinking of them all the time. These are weights, which slow us down.).
To run well you should not be burdened with anything. And we are called to run the race laid before us.
We are called to walk with God. (Colossians 2:6).
And run our race. (Philippians 2:16)
The two are different:
The walking speaks of the quiet conversation you have as you walk with a friend, day by day. This is our Christian life.
The running speaks of our work, which we are all called to finish. If you’re a Christian, you are in the race. God has given you a “work, or calling” to do.
(There are many callings: as a witness of Jesus Christ, as a prayer warrior, as a preacher of the Word, as a teacher of the Word, etc.)
Finish it, and you have the reward and honor He has waiting for you, for being devoted to Him. (Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:21)
But God does not save us, without giving us the Holy Spirit to enable us for anything He calls us to.
It is not: You are saved, now do something for Me.
But: You are saved, now let me do through you. I in you, and you in Me. That is the way we will finish…together.
Paul spoke to the Galatians about this very thing:
Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?”
Men had come to Galatia, to the church there, saying that being Christians was O.K., but if you really want to be somebody to God, you have to follow the Mosaic Law, as well.
Then you will be super-great Christians. (Not true)
No, Paul says. You are being weighed down with old traditions, which were laid aside in Christ’s crucifixion, and resurrection.
Don’t be hindered in the race. But finish your course.
Doing the good works that God has ordained or made full provision for; for you. (Ephesians 2:10)
We should all seek the Lord that He might show us, what are the weights which hinder our running. And as He does, let us lay them aside, and go on to “finish our race”.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore, seeing we are also 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,
Looking 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Anything from the Holy Spirit will not burden you down, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Let us lay aside our weights which hinder us; and look to Jesus, Who began a good work in us, and Who will finish it.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 