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“Therefore, since we have such a great 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, 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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

“I want to be remembered for courage for my faith.” This was the response Charlie Kirk gave to an interviewer when asked what he most wanted to be known for after he is gone. Ironically, he made this statement just five short months before he was martyred. I’d seen this interview clip numerous times over the past week, and it came to mind again while I was reading chapter 12 of Hebrews…and I had to stop to ask myself, “Is my faith in Jesus the most important thing in my life—so much so, that others think of me as being ‘courageous for my faith’?”

Actually, I imagine many of us Christ-followers have been asking ourselves this question lately. Thankfully, the Bible is chock full of encouragement and exhortations as to why and how we can be courageous—we’re on the winning team, for one thing! And I just love the way the Apostle Paul exhorts us throughout his epistles to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 5:1), be bold (Ephesians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Timothy 1:6-7), and finish well (2 Timothy 4:7; Philippians 3:14; Galatians 6:9).

At the beginning of Hebrews 12, the author cheers us on in our faith. He writes, “Let’s run with endurance the race set before us.” Endurance, beloved, is steady determination to keep going, not giving up or in, despite how the world, our flesh, or the enemy might whisper, distract, tempt. And this takes courage. But how are we able to maintain this steadfast endurance? Right in those same two verses, he gives us four things to do.

1. “We have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.” Not only do we have the example of Biblical heroes like Paul, John, James, the Apostles, the OT Prophets, etc., but we have 2000 years’ worth of steadfast men and women of faith and Christian martyrs. And we have our own experience with disciplers, faithful brothers and sisters, and pastors. These are our spiritual examples, mentors, cheerleaders.
2. “Let us lay aside every encumbrance.” What is encumbering your Christian race? The unnecessary activities, time-suckers, obsessions that distract you and weigh you down? Social media? Work? Money? Religiosity? Lay them down! We can all run so much better holding fast only to the faith essentials—the gospel of grace and the Person of Jesus Christ.
3. “(Let us lay aside) the sin which so easily entangles us.” Sin in our lives trips up our walk, causing us to stumble, fall, and sometimes quit altogether. We are all sinners and will be until the moment we’re in glory with the Lord. But from the point of our surrender, we are new creations in Christ, and we have the Holy Spirit in us to empower us to lay aside our sinful habits. Paul talks a lot about putting off our old ways and putting on the new (see Ephesians and Colossians, for example)…think of it as having fancy performance-improving running gear with high-tech material.
4. “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” Now, I’m no runner, but I imagine that in a race you’re highly aware of where your competitors are as you speed to the finish line. Not so in our race to glory. In fact, Paul makes it clear here: We are to fix our eyes on Jesus! He drew us to Him for salvation, and as we follow Him, He will bring our faith, holiness, and purpose to completion. No need at all to compare ourselves to someone else’s race. It’s just us and our Audience of One.

Friend, how is your Christian run at present? Perhaps it’s time for a refocus and a laying aside. Like Charlie Kirk, none of us is promised tomorrow. Today is the day to be bold and run with endurance. So, let’s be known for courage in our faith, to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, encouraging others to give their lives to Him as well.

“Lord, You are my Everything. Forgive me for any shame in me for speaking Truth in fear of mocking or repercussions. Make me bold for Jesus and sharing the gospel—every day. Let my sole desire be to “make heaven crowded.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life