"4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:4-5, ESV)"

Today marks the final day of our studies on the race of faith. It's a blessing to have you here once again. Today we are not going to talk much but we'll try and rap up what has already been discussed in the previous parts. So considering the conclusion to this series, let's consider the third verse of Hebrew 12.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:3, ESV)

RECAP

• We have already learned that we have a cloud of witness, a mass of saints who have endured sufferings and by the faith they had in Christ, wrought great things on earth. These saints are examples for us. They are an encouragement for us knowing that they were able to cross the finishing line in glory. Their faith motivates us to also run this inevitable race.

• We have considered the frictions that may impede the pace of the runner. Those are the encumbrance and the sin. From these we got to know that it's not only sin that slows down the Christian in the spiritual growth, but also weights of religion. The observation of the legalistic doctrines of the Jews. The new moon festivals, Sabbath, food, and others are not to be allowed to weigh us down as we agonise in this race. The sin was also described to be unbelief, because every sin is directly against God's law. People sin because they do not believe that what God has said about sin is true but rather believes the lie given to them by the Deceiver.

• Finally we considered the Grand Example from our Master and Savior Jesus Christ. That He is the perfect example since His faith was unravelled, his righteousness immaculate and His obedience to the Father was an absolutely perfect . Because of this, the writer encouraged us to look up to him, for He's the "author and finisher of our faith".

Coming back to our study for today, we will continue with the encouragement we have in Christ's example. And in the light of this, the writer continued to say that we should

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:3, ESV)

This tells us that there's absolutely nothing in this world that should be able to cause us to loose focus. No persecution or disaster is too hard for us to endure. This is not because we are equal with our Master, no. It's because He's endured them on our behalf. That's, though we compete in this race, victory is assured. The hostility and persecution from this world can not block us from finishing the race in glory.
Paul told the Corinthians that

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

This is to say that the temptations we face as pilgrims in this sinful world are not enough to destroy us. Someone has endured them and we'll also endure in Jesus's name. He won't permit sufferings to overcome us. He will provide and escape route so that we grow in grace. He will turn all the lemon thrown at us by the devil into lemonade for our enjoyment.
For we read in Peter these words.

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)

Now we know that instead of grieving, we are rather motivated by James to "2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)

That is the reward we shall receive in this race. The testing of our faith will prove us right. We Have to know that it's an eternal reward we are racing for. Our opponent is very dangerous and we must be on guard. Paul used another metaphor in Ephesians when he said.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

Don't lose hope. Endure the sufferings. They are what we are here to face. It's our fight. As long as we remain Christians, we will never be allowed to rest until we embrace our Savior in his second coming. It's a spiritual battle and it's worth dying for. Even if people dedicate their lives to run competitively for things perishable, how much more should we run this race with all endurance in order to receive this imperishable crown of glory.

I leave you with this.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, ESV)

This is the end of our series. Hoping to hear from you in the comment section. Don't miss out on what's coming tomorrow. Till we meet again, shalom.

It's your servant Nana Yeboah
@gadol from @steemchurch@sc-g @christian-trail and @teamghana
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