Hebrews 12 makes the clear case that the Christian life is a marathon, no it is an ultra marathon! It is not a sprint...we must finish well! I have competed in a number of Triathlons, a race lasting a little over two hours, the longest distance I have every run at one time is about 12 miles. If you try to think about running a long race there are a few essentials that come to mind. You absolutely will not carry anything that you don't have to, you don't want any distractions, (anything to take you off course) and most runners know that you never look down while you are running...you always fix your eyes at a goal in the distance. As you approach that goal you reset your eyes on another goal further out. All of this assumes that you have prepared for the race that you are in...what is required to prepare for a race...discipline!
Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us this picture in relation to the Christian life.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
What does it mean to "lay aside every weight?" As God's children I believe we must prayerfully evaluate every activity, every association, our possessions...everything that fills our lives must be evaluated in this light. We must ask the question, Lord is this a "weight" that I must lay aside or is the part of the best that you desire for me? I believe that all of us, yes me too, have allowed many, countless, things into our lives that are "weights" that God would have us to lay aside! You know what the sin is that so easily entangles you...John Owen wrote, "be killing sin or sin will be killing you." That topic could be a whole series of blogs:)
Paul instructs young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7 ...Rather train yourself for godliness, or discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. I will frequently talk to my oldest son, Zach about discipline. It usually goes something like this...Zach would you rather discipline yourself or do you want Daddy to do it? He always responds the same:) I would rather do it Daddy. Almost without fail after I have this encounter with him the Holy Spirit has a similar conversation with me...Mark, would you prefer to discipline yourself or do you want ME to do it! My answer is always the same:) Please give me enough sense and wisdom to do it:)
NOW the wonderful thing is that our heavenly Father loves us so much that if we don't get the job done HE will step in and do it. HE loves us too much not to discipline us! As you reread the passage below notice how many times the word discipline is used and rejoice that HE loves us enough to discipline HIS children.
Heb 12:5-11 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Father in heaven,
Oh please give me a heart to be joyfully trained by YOUR discipline...grant me a heart that seeks to kiss YOUR hand even as it tans my hide...for YOUR glory and my JOY in YOU!
love,
m