Hebrews 11 is called the Faith Chapter. It lists many of the biblical heroes of faith, and it shows what living faith looks like, and now, “Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT (ogkos: burden or encumbrance) and THE SIN WHICH SO EASILY BESETS (euperistatos: encircling us to easily distract us) US, and let us RUN (not walk fast or trot along but RUN) with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING TO JESUS the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for THE JOY (chara: the awareness of God’s divine favor) that was set before Him ENDURED the cross, DESPISING the shame, and SAT DOWN at the right of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
The first thing we MUST DO is too lay aside the works of the flesh in our lives, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, (a list of 18 are given to us) of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
WE DO THIS WITH OUR EYES ON JESUS WHO,
- PUT UP WITH His suffering on the cross to wipe out our sins,
- DESPISED the shame He went through and then,
- SAT DOWN at the right hand of His Father, God.
WE DO ALL THIS SO WE WILL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD…
Your personal Pastor -Bill Stockham