Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 3

Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 3
Hebrews 11 & 12

 Chapter 12 starts off with aspects of what our lives should look like. First, we are instructed to lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us. It is interesting that there are things that can entangle us that are not sin. Encumbrances are things that impede, burden, deter, hinder, hold back, inhibit, interfere, obstruct, and shackle us according to Webster. Matthew Henry says it this way, “Every weight, that is, all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and world. Inordinate care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be.” What are those things that draw us away from the Lord and what He has called us to do? Is it money or possessions? He tells us that we can’t serve God and manna. (Matt. 6:24) These things not only in and of themselves encumber us, but they also usually bring debt that encumbers us and holds us back. Is it the pleasures of this world? I am not just talking about drugs, alcohol, sexual pleasures, and such things. I am also talking about those TV programs we have to watch, the music that makes us dance and forget the world around us, the computers that suck up our time as we chat, Facebook, and play games. Is it other people? Not just the people that want us to go to bars, try new drugs, and go to inappropriate places. How about the ones that talk us into that little compromise of watching that movie that has just a little bit of sex, or to gossip and to complain about those around us, that make us think about what we deserve and are not getting, or that distract us from our true prize for the temporary prizes of this world. There are so many things that are even not bad things, but they are not the best things. Friends are not bad, but do we spend more time with them than with Him? Money is not bad, but does it have a higher priority than the priority God has given us? Technology is not bad, but does it fill our hearts and mind taking the place of the word? These things must be put off so we will not be encumbered.

We must also get rid of the sin that so easily entangles us. Webster defines entangle as, “to wrap or twist together, to involve in a perplexing or troublesome situation, or to make more complicated”. Matthew Henry described it as “The sin that has the greatest advantage against us”. What is it that always seems to get you? It’s that one thing that we have to pray for strength to resist all the time. That one area of our life that is our weak spot and if we don’t continually war against it and guard our hearts from it will be the place the enemy attacks. That very thing you are thinking about is what must be taken captive unto the obedience of Christ. There is a poster I put up in my classroom. It says, “Watch your thoughts they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.” The Bible says it this way in James 1:12-16, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be conceived, my beloved brethren.” When our hearts are not totally His there are lusts that take up residence there and entice us to sin. Our hearts must be purified and wholly His. David knew this when he penned Psalm 139:23-24. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” We must guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 warns us that we must “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”

 Lastly, we are to run with endurance the race that is set before us. Matthew Henry has four points about this last command that I really liked. He said,
 “1. Christians have a race to run, a race of service and a race of sufferings, a course of active and passive obedience.
 2. This race is set before them; it is marked out unto them, both by the word of God and the examples of the faithful servants of God, that cloud of witnesses with which they are compassed about. It is set out by proper limits and directions; the mark they run to, and the prize they run for, are set before them. 3. This race must be run with patience and perseverance. There will be need of patience to encounter the difficulties that lie in our way, of perseverance to resist all temptations to desist or turn aside. Faith and patience are the conquering graces, and therefore must be always cultivated and kept in lively exercise.
4. Christians have a greater example to animate and encourage them in their Christian course than any or all who have been mentioned before, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,”

 Scripture is full of verses that talk about running the race. Here are just a few:
• 1 Cor. 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize. Run in such a way that you may win.”
• Gal. 5:7 “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
• Phil. 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
• 2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”

 How are we running? Are we enduring and running well or are we hindered by the sin and encumbrances? Are we running according to the rules, which is this book of life we have or have we allowed someone to hinder us with words of deceit? Have we fought the good fight and are we finishing the course and keeping the faith or are we coasting through and being tossed around by every wind of doctrine and trend of the world? In worship one day we were singing about incense arising.

My mind was taken to the scripture about how the sacrifices were offered and fragrances were placed with them allowing an aroma to arise to the Lord. The sacrifices had a standard that had to be met. No matter how nice the fragrances were, if they were not spotless and without blemish they would stink before the Lord. Romans 12 exhorts us to offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice. We are to be a living, walking, and breathing, sacrifice that is without spot or wrinkle. Everyday our lives should be a sweet fragrance that goes up to the One that has given so much for us. We are running this race in the presence of great men and women of the faith. They cannot be fooled and they accept no excuses. They have lived the life, they have kept the faith, and they have given up everything for the cause of Christ. They have turned their back on the temptations of the world clinging to nothing including their own lives and the lives of those they love. They held nothing back from the God whom they so loved and revered. Can we say the same? With such a great cloud of witnesses how should we live?