Are You Enduring the Cross?

“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, 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.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The “cloud of witnesses,” I believe, are those mentioned in Hebrews 11 who were people of faith, and who proved their faith to be genuine by their obedience to God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit – our triune God (3 in 1). They set the example for us for what our faith should look like. For if our faith in Jesus Christ is genuine, it will be shown by our denial of self, our dying with Christ daily to sin, and our walks of obedience to our Lord in holy living – all in the power and wisdom of God.

Therefore, we who believe in Jesus Christ with God-persuaded and God-gifted faith in him are to lay aside (cast off, get rid of) every weight (hindrance) to our walks of faith and obedience to our Lord. And these can be things in our lives which are stumbling blocks to us. They can be TV sets, the internet, computers, smart phones, magazines, movies, sports, certain possessions, food, music, and any kind of cravings and desires of the flesh. And they can be hatred, bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness, too.

These are things that have the potential to lead anyone into sin because they have done so before. For those who are living in addiction to sin, these things regularly have the capacity to lead them to the same sins repeatedly. Some of these things may not be sinful in themselves, but they either contain sinful content within them or they are just objects which lead certain people to continue in particular sinful habits. So, these need to be gotten rid of so that they don’t lead the sinner into sin repeatedly.

Then, when the objects of temptation are removed, if they can be removed, those who are still giving way to particular sinful habits can more easily cast off those sins which have still been clinging ever so closely. But removing the objects of temptation alone is not enough in itself to guarantee victory over sin. All the bitterness, hatred, envy, lusts, anger, resentment, pride, selfishness, rebellion, and unforgiveness have to be let go of and cleansed out of the heart or the addict will keep repeating the same sins.

And then the one who has been practicing sin must repent of his/her sins, and then they must surrender their lives to Jesus Christ in submission to his will and purpose for their lives. And they must submit to Christ as Lord (Owner-Master) of their lives. And by faith in him, they must now choose to forsake their sins and to follow Jesus Christ in obedience to his commands in holy living, to the glory and praise of God. And daily they must deny self, die to sin (by the Spirit), and walk in obedience to the Lord (see Luke 9:23-26).

And then, as they keep their eyes focused on Jesus Christ, and their dependence is now in him, and not in their own flesh, they can run with endurance the race (the walk of faith in Jesus Christ) that is set before us, which God purposed that we should run/walk as those who are of genuine faith in Jesus Christ. And this involves us daily saying “NO!” to sin and “Yes!” to God, by the Spirit, and by God’s grace us living self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s return (see Titus 2:11-14).

[Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Php 2:5-11: Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 9:28; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]  

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer 

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897

Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,

This is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,

Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,

Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,

Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,

Holy and harmless, patient and brave;

Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,

Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,

Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;

Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,

Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,

Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrYhiK2nQBg 

Caution: This link may contain ads