 |
| Source: Unsplash, Pavitra Baxi |
Recently I've been reflecting upon the exhortation given at the beginning of Hebrews chapter 12 to us as believers:
"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..." Hebrews 12:1
We are encouraged to throw off everything that hinders us in life. And yet, the author of Hebrews makes a fascinating distinction. Did you catch it?
Lay aside every weight AND sin. Meaning...not every weight we carry is sin.
And yet those things that hinder our growth or our witness do not serve us and ought to be laid aside.
Sure, weights can include sin, but they are not limited to sin.
Paul says it this way, in his letter to the church in Corinth:
" 'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up." 1 Corinthians 10:23
So, this has me thinking...
What in my life is hindering my joy, peace, holiness, or my witness to the gospel?
What things are draining me, distracting me, impeding the work that God is doing in and through me?
What things seem to have a magnetic pull for my time and attention?
Ought I lay these things aside?
I find it particularly telling that the writer of Hebrews gives us this exhortation when the theme of Hebrews as a book is that Jesus is better: Jesus is better than the prophets, the angels, Moses. He is the better sacrifice, the better priest, and He ushers in a better covenant. You get the idea.
Why ought we lay aside the weights that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles?
One reason is that Jesus is better.
More to come as I reflect upon these things and examine my own lifestyle, indwelling sin, and daily habits.
Will you join me, dear friend?
Will you stop to consider the things--sinful things and non-sinful things--that might be hindering your joy, peace, witness or sapping your energy, stealing your time, being a burden for you that you simply don't need to continue to carry?
I pray that the Spirit would reveal to us those things we ought to jettison, knowing that He will provide the power and strength to carry it out, to the glory and praise of God.
No comments