The passage of scripture for today's short thoughts will be Hebrews 12:3. It is here where the Hebrew author was inspired to give us some tremendous words of exhortation and encouragement as he writes of Christ. "For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow wearing and lose heart." Oh, what a wonderful savior we have! Will you consider Him today? And will you consider Him all your tomorrows?
Earlier in this chapter we saw the Christian life described as a race that we are called to run with endurance. In other passages of scripture we see our life in Christ described as a fight, a battle, a war. We are involved in Christian service and find ourselves in the face of much opposition. In 2 Corinthians 7:5 we see Paul giving some descriptive words regarding such matters. "For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within." And in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul wrote the following in regards to his life in Christian service. "Are they servants of Christ?--I speak as if insane--I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches."
Some may teach that weariness or losing heart comes only from getting our eyes off of Christ or by trying to accomplish His will in the energy of the flesh. Although this can be true, I would suggest that it is not always so. Useful service for the Master, or running the race set before us, can be difficult and trying. Although I made reference to some of Paul's words above, we could find countless examples of brothers and sisters in Christ who have labored long in following Christ amidst trying circumstances. Loss of heart and weariness are realities that face those who desire the high calling of being bond-servants of Christ.
Praise God that He has provided a remedy, or perhaps even a preventative measure for growing weary or losing heart. We are to consider Jesus. Have you grown weary in service for Christ? Consider Him. Have you lost heart in serving Christ? Consider Him. Webster's provides the following definitions for the word "consider". To think about carefully. We need to do that of Jesus. To regard or treat in an attentive or kindly way. We ought to do so of Jesus. To gaze on steadily or reflectively. Oh, how we need to do so of Jesus! Let us each one consider Jesus. He is worthy of our consideration!
We have new life in Christ. We have abundant life from Him. But He has called us to be servants. We will find great joy in serving Him in a multitude of varying ministries. You may be poured out and used up as you fight the good fight of faith and look to finish your course. If you find that you are growing weary in Christian service, take time to consider Jesus today. He is our strength. If you find yourself losing heart, do not put if off but consider Him now. Doing so will encourage your heart. Get into His word and read about Him. Think carefully about Him. Regard Him in an attentive and kindly way. Steadily gaze upon and reflect upon Him. This is God's gracious provision for us to not grow weary and lose heart. May we heed His invitation to consider Jesus.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
The passage of scripture for today's short thoughts will be Hebrews 12:2. This verse concludes the sentence began in verse one and includes a most valuable instruction for the believer in Christ; each one who is running "the race that is set before us". In the fist verse the writer spoke of our need to "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us." In this second verse we see the importance of "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus" is the Divine instruction given by God through the Hebrew writer. When you think about it for a moment, you may find yourself asking the question; "Why would we not fix our eyes on Jesus?" As people who desire to heed the biblical call to live by faith, Christians should long to fix their eyes on Him. He is the author of faith. He is the perfecter of faith. And as people who are called to a life of endurance, there has never been another who has endured more than Him.
Oh, the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus! Of course, this is not a mere speculative suggestion but an admonition with great significance. It seems evident that if our eyes are fixed on Him they will not be fixed elsewhere. And I cannot suppose otherwise, that if our eyes are not fixed on Him, they will be fixed on matters of much less importance. He is not difficult to find. Seated in glory, He sits at "the right hand of the throne of God." I suppose that our hearts must be fixed on Him before our eyes will be. Scripture tells us that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." May we earnestly ask the Holy Spirit to make Him our treasure.
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus" speaks of an ongoing, continuous processs. It is not a one time matter. Many, or dare I say all of us who have fixed our eyes on Jesus for a time have found our hearts and minds straying elsewhere. With soberness, alertness and discernment we should acknowledge that there is a spiritual battle for our affections. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life". May we heed the admonition and in our hearts long to fix our eyes on Him!
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus" is the Divine instruction given by God through the Hebrew writer. When you think about it for a moment, you may find yourself asking the question; "Why would we not fix our eyes on Jesus?" As people who desire to heed the biblical call to live by faith, Christians should long to fix their eyes on Him. He is the author of faith. He is the perfecter of faith. And as people who are called to a life of endurance, there has never been another who has endured more than Him.
Oh, the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus! Of course, this is not a mere speculative suggestion but an admonition with great significance. It seems evident that if our eyes are fixed on Him they will not be fixed elsewhere. And I cannot suppose otherwise, that if our eyes are not fixed on Him, they will be fixed on matters of much less importance. He is not difficult to find. Seated in glory, He sits at "the right hand of the throne of God." I suppose that our hearts must be fixed on Him before our eyes will be. Scripture tells us that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." May we earnestly ask the Holy Spirit to make Him our treasure.
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus" speaks of an ongoing, continuous processs. It is not a one time matter. Many, or dare I say all of us who have fixed our eyes on Jesus for a time have found our hearts and minds straying elsewhere. With soberness, alertness and discernment we should acknowledge that there is a spiritual battle for our affections. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life". May we heed the admonition and in our hearts long to fix our eyes on Him!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
Today, as I continue to "blog" through the book of Hebrews, I am privileged to begin the 12th chapter. In the first verse we read, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us". This single verse of scripture is one of those in which considerable time could be spent on the matters it speaks of. Intending to keep my thoughts somewhat short, I will endeavor to do so in spite of the wealth of topics that are found here.
There is a race that is set before us and of this we can be certain. It is a race that is unlike any other we have been in or have ever seen. Entrance into this race came about through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Regardless of how well we may be "running", this race is set before each believer. There has never been a more important race for the runner to run well. If we haven't already, we ought to consider and act upon the instructions that God has given us through the Hebrew author in today's passage. They were given to assist us in the race. They were given by divine inspiration from the One who has gone before us.
To run well we will need to consciously "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us". We are not given a list of these "encumbrances" but are directly told to lay them all aside. Yes, all of them. They are various and innumerable. Simply put, they are anything that weigh us down, impede or hamper us from living for Christ. They are unnecessary burdens in our life that work contrary to a desire to be surrendered to His will and to walk in a manner pleasing to Him. The things that encumber us may not be bad or evil in and of themselves. But if they negatively effect our running the race, they are an encumbrance to us.
In addition to "every encumbrance", we are called to lay aside "the sin which so easily entangles us". We are not told specifically what this sin is. Some will suggest that this sin differs from believer to believer. They maintain that each one of us has a particular sin issue that we struggle with or are entangled by. Given the individuality of each believer, I think there is some truth to this. But I also think that there is a sin "that so easily entangles us". All of us. It is the sin of living according to the flesh and not by faith. As we run the race
that is set before us, I suppose that nothing will entangle us more quickly than the flesh and its desires.
Again, in order to run well, both of these matters need our attention. The "encumbrances" will hold us back and wear us down as we try to carry them along in the race. And sin will entangle us. Bad things can happen when the runner of a race becomes entangled. He or she may trip for just a moment before they regain their composure and are back running well. They may trip and be thrown off course for a time. The time may become prolonged. Or the runner may actually fall and scuff a knee or a hand. Or they may fall harder and break an arm or a shoulder. Because we are all in the race and no one is running alone, the entangled runner may affect the other runners as well. He or she may cause others to stumble, others to fall, others to be hurt. Oh, that for Christ we might run free of encumbrances and entanglement.
I must include a final thought on this passage; one that I would consider myself neglectful if I did not. We are called to run this race with endurance. It may not be short and it will not be easy. Some are misleading of this truth. We may have the opportunity to be in this race for only a short period of time or for many, many years. But He does not ask us to run in our own strength. He offers us His. It provides for great endurance. He affords us His divine power. Of the One who endured the cross it is said, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". May we heed the words of the Hebrew author as we run the race set before us. Through Him let us run well!
There is a race that is set before us and of this we can be certain. It is a race that is unlike any other we have been in or have ever seen. Entrance into this race came about through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Regardless of how well we may be "running", this race is set before each believer. There has never been a more important race for the runner to run well. If we haven't already, we ought to consider and act upon the instructions that God has given us through the Hebrew author in today's passage. They were given to assist us in the race. They were given by divine inspiration from the One who has gone before us.
To run well we will need to consciously "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us". We are not given a list of these "encumbrances" but are directly told to lay them all aside. Yes, all of them. They are various and innumerable. Simply put, they are anything that weigh us down, impede or hamper us from living for Christ. They are unnecessary burdens in our life that work contrary to a desire to be surrendered to His will and to walk in a manner pleasing to Him. The things that encumber us may not be bad or evil in and of themselves. But if they negatively effect our running the race, they are an encumbrance to us.
In addition to "every encumbrance", we are called to lay aside "the sin which so easily entangles us". We are not told specifically what this sin is. Some will suggest that this sin differs from believer to believer. They maintain that each one of us has a particular sin issue that we struggle with or are entangled by. Given the individuality of each believer, I think there is some truth to this. But I also think that there is a sin "that so easily entangles us". All of us. It is the sin of living according to the flesh and not by faith. As we run the race
that is set before us, I suppose that nothing will entangle us more quickly than the flesh and its desires.
Again, in order to run well, both of these matters need our attention. The "encumbrances" will hold us back and wear us down as we try to carry them along in the race. And sin will entangle us. Bad things can happen when the runner of a race becomes entangled. He or she may trip for just a moment before they regain their composure and are back running well. They may trip and be thrown off course for a time. The time may become prolonged. Or the runner may actually fall and scuff a knee or a hand. Or they may fall harder and break an arm or a shoulder. Because we are all in the race and no one is running alone, the entangled runner may affect the other runners as well. He or she may cause others to stumble, others to fall, others to be hurt. Oh, that for Christ we might run free of encumbrances and entanglement.
I must include a final thought on this passage; one that I would consider myself neglectful if I did not. We are called to run this race with endurance. It may not be short and it will not be easy. Some are misleading of this truth. We may have the opportunity to be in this race for only a short period of time or for many, many years. But He does not ask us to run in our own strength. He offers us His. It provides for great endurance. He affords us His divine power. Of the One who endured the cross it is said, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". May we heed the words of the Hebrew author as we run the race set before us. Through Him let us run well!
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