Today I reflected on something I feel that most people have either thought about a lot or experienced. See when I became a Christian I was given a verse by a faithful mentor that has stuck throughout my life:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off anything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us."
-Heb. 12:1
A great verse detailing many different things, but I want to focus on one specific part: " let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..."
First the writer tells us to "throw off or lay aside..." This can also mean stop, or put away. This conveys the picture of throwing something away or to the side so that it is no longer in the way. What is it that we are called to throw off?
We are told to put aside the things that hinder us. Hinder here is the Greek word "onkos" which means weight, impediment or burden. It is something that weighs us down or gets in the way. Sin is something that frequently gets in the way of us living in holiness and it can be a heavy burden. What kinds of things are in your way? What kind of burdens are heavy on your heart?
The second obstacle that tries to thwart us off this race is the, "sin that so easily entangles."
Notice that the sin we are called to throw off easily entangles us! I don't know about you, but it frustrates me to know that I am so easily deceived and willingly walk away from glory for vomit (Prov. 26:11) The phrase easily entangles is the Greek word eurperistatos ( u-per-ris-statos) and means to control tightly or cling closely. The idea is that the sin that we struggle with is sin that we hold to tightly and at times don't want to let go.
Running the race requires letting go of the very things that are holding you down (hinder you), and letting go of the sin that we so often defend, hide and cling to.
Some may that there is too much "work" by a believer in this passage. The amazing part is that through the whole process of throwing off obstacles and sins is fixing our hearts and eyes to Christ (Heb. 12:2). He is our source of strength and guidance during our race so that we may persevere and finish strong.
What things are hindering you right now?
What sins are you clinging tightly to?
Be blessed.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off anything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us."
-Heb. 12:1
A great verse detailing many different things, but I want to focus on one specific part: " let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..."
First the writer tells us to "throw off or lay aside..." This can also mean stop, or put away. This conveys the picture of throwing something away or to the side so that it is no longer in the way. What is it that we are called to throw off?
We are told to put aside the things that hinder us. Hinder here is the Greek word "onkos" which means weight, impediment or burden. It is something that weighs us down or gets in the way. Sin is something that frequently gets in the way of us living in holiness and it can be a heavy burden. What kinds of things are in your way? What kind of burdens are heavy on your heart?
The second obstacle that tries to thwart us off this race is the, "sin that so easily entangles."
Notice that the sin we are called to throw off easily entangles us! I don't know about you, but it frustrates me to know that I am so easily deceived and willingly walk away from glory for vomit (Prov. 26:11) The phrase easily entangles is the Greek word eurperistatos ( u-per-ris-statos) and means to control tightly or cling closely. The idea is that the sin that we struggle with is sin that we hold to tightly and at times don't want to let go.
Running the race requires letting go of the very things that are holding you down (hinder you), and letting go of the sin that we so often defend, hide and cling to.
Some may that there is too much "work" by a believer in this passage. The amazing part is that through the whole process of throwing off obstacles and sins is fixing our hearts and eyes to Christ (Heb. 12:2). He is our source of strength and guidance during our race so that we may persevere and finish strong.
What things are hindering you right now?
What sins are you clinging tightly to?
Be blessed.
