What Are You Prepared to Give Up?
JULY 21
Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight…. Hebrews 12:1a
If you’re going to run a race, how do you prepare? First, you lay the weights aside. Notice athletes. They run in very light clothing. The less weight, the better. One thing you’ll never see is someone in the Olympics running in an overcoat. It’s not going to happen. They get as light as they possibly can. You have to lay aside every weight.
The Greek word weight doesn’t mean something sinful. It just means something that burdens you, that holds you down. There are some things that are not bad in themselves. There’s nothing wrong with an overcoat. You just don’t wear an overcoat when you’re running a race. Paul said: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Friend, it may be some recreational habit you have. It may be some cottage in the woods. It may be some acquaintance, some hobby, too much television or sleep. Paul is saying, “Some things may be lawful for me, but if it’s not expedient, if it doesn’t speed me on my course, then I need to lay it aside and leave it alone.”
Ask yourself, “Is there something in my life that’s hindering my walk with Christ? Something holding me back, excess baggage keeping me from being all I ought to be for the Lord Jesus Christ? Whatever it is, if you want to win the race, lay it aside. Good things become bad things when they keep you from the best things.
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