RUNNING THE CHRISTIAN RACE WITHOUT ENCUMBERANCES

in #steemchurch6 years ago

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Athletes who are runners on a track are always accustomed to a type of suit before running, this is a rule, that must certainly be followed, why is this? It's because any kind of clothing will be a hiderance. The race of life is likened to this, it's likened to an athlete who needs to followva certain set of rules if they are to stand a chance in making heaven after the herculean journey of life.
In a race, there are sets of rules which participants must follow and if these rules are not obeyed, then there will likely be no prizes, so also the race for the kingdom of heaven also has rules, and these are set by God, and when these rules are disobeyed, then there is no heaven.

Hebrews 12:1-4 King James Version (KJV)

12 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,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

As we run the Christian race we mustn't give room for distractions, these distractions can come in so many form and like the verses we have read have certainly said, we must concentrate on Jesus, Just like Moses instructed the children of Israel to look upon the cross instead of looking around at the proverbial serpents that are distractions In our lives.

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2 Timothy 2:4-5 King James Version (KJV)

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully

LEARNING FROM THE WITNESSES AND THEIR ENCOUNTER

In the book of Hebrew 11 we learnt of the father's of faith, men who ran the heavenly race by faith and are of course sitting on the rand hand side of God

Hebrews 11 King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

These witnesses were the people who has seen first hand what it means to run the race of heaven, and they lived a just life in the lifetime and pleased God, they ran the race if heaven even without the bible to Guide them, and we as Christians Must look at the exemplary life of these witnesses that ran a perfect race of heaven
In the race of heaven we Must do away with practices that does not please God

Hebrews 11:24-25 King James Version (KJV)

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Here Moses did away with the worldly pleasure in Pharaoh's court, and not too long he was called by God, he choose to pass through persecution rather than enjoy the worldly enjoyment of the world.
As believers we must make up our mind to get to heaven.

Psalm 112:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Like David here we must be determined to run the race of heaven no matter the circumstances, trusting in a better end, a life of fulfilment after therefore you would have fought the good fight of faith like Paul the apostles

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LAYING ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT AND ENCUMBERANCES

Hebrews 12:1-3 King James Version (KJV)

12 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,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds

God hates sin, and we must know that sin is a heavy load that prevents us from running, that's why we Must lay down our sins and transgressions.
Some people have because of worldly gains, dropped by the way and quit their heavenly races to enjoy the things of life that glitters

1 Peter 2 Vs 1 & 2 King James Version (KJV)

2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Our Christian race must be run with faith, love for one another and service to mankind because we know that without faith it's impossible to please God, also not bearing burden on the heart like malice which of course is also a burden to a sinless heart

John 5:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

You've left the world and it's sin, well Jesus said we must go ahead to sin no more. and we must not let the outward things deceive us

1 John 3:8 King James Version (KJV)

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

LOOKING AT THE WINNER AND HIS ENDURANCES.

1 Peter 2:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps

We Must know that there's persecutions in running the Christian race, but we must never tire, we must know too that Christ suffered persecutions in making sure we even have a Christian race to run, but we must have perseverance just like an athlete till the finishing line.

Philippians 2:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 3:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

As Christians we must desire things that are heavenly because this will help us focus better in our heavenly race, looking at Jesus sitting on the right hand of God.
If we must run heaven's race then we must be determined, if not then we are running in vain
Faith, perseverance and believe in God will help us in running the race of heaven.


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Thank you for reading

JOSEPH C. IKECHUKWU

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nices posts thanks for sharing thsi posts!

As we run the Christian race we mustn't give room for distractions, these distractions can come in so many form

From the statement above, it's evident that the only encumbrance Christians seem to face is distraction;distractions in different forms, usually caused by the Devil to make the most important (things above) become trivial or ordinary.

Honestly, your conclusion beautifully wraps up the whole issue..

As Christians we must desire things that are heavenly because this will help us focus better in our heavenly race, looking at Jesus sitting on the right hand of God.

Thanks @josediccus fo sharing this great post.
Kind regards.

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