Many of you know the verses already!
“Wherefore seeing we also are 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 ….” Hebrews 12:1-2
The dear Holy Spirit here clearly distinguishes between a “weight” and a “sin!” I assume most of you my “students” (readers) here today know already what sins can do! How they can dangerously block our Fellowship with God. We also know what to do about them, “confess them and forsake them!” (Both Proverbs 28:13 and 1 John 1:7 illustrate this Bible truth.)
But what are “weights?”
In fact, in our Text that noun (“ogkos,” used only here in all the New Testament) is singular, “weight.” While its grammatical companion “sins” remains plural!
The Lexicon (dictionary) says that “weight” here means a “bulk,” a “mass,” a “protuberance” (something “sticking out”) that ruins the symmetry or balance of a runner! It obviously will diminish his effectiveness, his speed too!
Thus, a “weight” is something that’s “inconsistent” with my Christian life! It just does not “belong!” It does not “look right!” It is something that “shows up” that is not complementary to my overall Christian testimony!
Maybe like a cigarette in the hand of a Preacher?
Or a pornographic magazine before the eyes of a Believer in Jesus?
Or a loud, dirty month belonging to a (so-called) Christian?
None of the above will send you to Hell … if you are really saved. If you have been washed in the Blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son!
But Oh … how they will hinder you!
How they do not “belong” in a godly man’s (or woman’s) life!
You just can’t “run” as well (for Jesus) … if you have those cumbersome “weights” attached to your uniform!
Now in closing … another Line from Paul the Apostle … just before he is about to die as a martyr for Jesus. “I have finished my course.” The noun (and direct object) here is “dromos, the Greek “race track!”
Paul sure leaned how to get rid of those “weights,” didn’t he?
Now, ask the Lord to “inspect” your life! To look for any “irregularities,” any “encumbrances” that might slow you down!
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
I want that “prize” in Christ Jesus my Lord!
I’ve written today not about “weight-lifting,” but about “weight shedding!” One might even call it “shaping up!” In a spiritual (but impacting the physical) way, to the Glory of God!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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