This is the second in a 3-part series on the subject of perseverance. Read Part 1 here.
So how can we move forward?The answer is in Hebrews 12:1: “Put aside all the weight and sin that clings so tightly. “The key to moving forward is the rejection of everything that deceives us, entangies us and gets in our way. This commandment doesn’t come out of nowhere, as I said before, this is the point of the whole book of Hebrews. Run, fight, be attentive, strengthen, do not stray, do not neglect, stand firm, do not presume your eternal safety. A few months ago I started the weight loss process, and one of the things I did to get there was running. It’s a very curious fact: the thinner I am, the easier it is to run. At the Olympics, can you bet that none of the runners will be overweight?That’s part of the reason they work so well.
- As Christians.
- Sin shames us spiritually.
- We must also be vigilant against it.
- Identify it quickly.
- And be ready to repent; sin drives us.
- Stops us.
- And prevents us from running; sin leads us with the flow of the world and takes us away.
- Jesus.
But we’re not just talking about obvious sins, like getting drunk or using drugs, that we should be aware of. Many of the things that annoy, delay, and shame us are not sins in themselves. It is often good things, even gifts from God, that we turn into problems. It can be food and drink; our friends; we can make our children the most important thing in the world. relationships with the opposite sex. Every time we take something good and put it above God, we make an idol that shames us, slows us down and prevents us from running. Another sage said, “The heart of man is a constant factory of idols. “We make idols naturally, because it is easy to put things above Jesus. So if we want to throw away sin, we must be wise and careful in our careers. We can’t deal with that by simply asking, “Is this a sin or not?”Rather, we need to ask ourselves a deeper question: “Is it profitable?”Am I mature and wise enough not to turn this gift into an idol?
There’s a reason Mez sets the rules every week, starting with a call to the bachelors to shut up.
Here’s a scenario. I’ll talk about the boys, but it will also apply to girls. You’re a new Christian and a recent intern in 20schemes. Are you all excited about Jesus and the future?you see a beautiful little girl walking. Better yet, she knows you exist; in fact, her friend told her friend that she didn’t think you were completely stupid. Result: better than nothing, she loves Jesus and goes to church, which means it is not a sin that you woo this girl. you can live.
Here are two things, guys: is there a long way between the two, don’t you think you’re a complete idiot?And a wedding ceremony. Try to disguise your madness during this period. Once you are married, there is nothing I can do to hide it; she’ll find out. But the important thing is: before you make the decision, ask the right question. Ask the real question, which is not “is it a sin”, but rather: “Is it profitable?”I’d better look for Jesus?
John Piper says: “The career of Christian life is not too busy asking, “What’s wrong with this or that?”But asking, “Does this lead to greater faith, love, purity, courage, humility, patience?” ??. Dominion No: “Is ??, sin but yes: “Does it help me in the race??If the answer to this question is: “No, it doesn’t help me run, it’s a distraction, it diverts my eyes and my heart from Jesus, so put it aside, throw it away, don’t let it bother you. Raise your head, look forward, run the race.
So don’t let anything bother you, and the last point of this first section: don’t give up, therefore, as we are surrounded by such a large swarm of witnesses, we will also let go of all the shame and sin that we embrace so closely, and continue the career offered to us with perseverance.
This word, perseverance, is absolutely essential to the task of completing the race, because only those who persevere to the end and finish the race will receive the award. Endurance or perseverance is the true test of authenticity in the Christian life. ‘quote with which I began: “Perseverance is a necessary consequence of salvation. ” Remember the meaning of this: when someone is truly saved, when someone truly becomes a Christian, they will continue throughout their life loving Jesus and obeying his Word.
I said earlier that the book of Hebrews is full of warnings to persevere because the author of this letter desperately wants us to realize the danger of walking away from Jesus and away from Him. He wants us to run, and not just start running. but keep running until the end. Now I know that it is not easy to lead a Christian career; In fact, it is horrible at times. Living like fallen people in a fallen and corrupt world can be brutal and painful. Sometimes it takes everything we have to put one foot in front of the other and move on. God doesn’t expect you to run. like a Usain Bolt. I love these words from Charles Spurgeon: “With perseverance, the snail has reached the ark. ” Inch by inch, the snail has crawled forward and we have to too.