We Are All Winners!
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2)
These scriptures in Hebrews 12 are a very good reminder for us that competition has no place in the body of Christ. Apostle Paul is letting us know that there are pioneers who blazed the way, and veterans that are cheering us on. This means that we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running-and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God;"(message bible). Apostle Paul, the writer of this book, was simply talking about finishing the race, not about winning the race. Winning implies competition whereas finishing implies perseverance and singleness of purpose; completion. Everyone who finishes winds up a winner! God has given every man a degree of certain gifts and talents. Some to a lesser degree and some to a greater degree. Some people can sing until heaven opens up, and others can preach until revival breaks out. Maybe your singing ability is limited to just pleasing God as you sing in the shower. Perhaps your preaching ability is limited to a one-on-one encounter. Either way, no one of these gifts is any less than the other; it's all about glorifying God! If we compare ourselves to the person that is causing heaven to open up, or to the person that causes revival to break out, then we begin to covet their gifts. Proverbs 4:25 says: "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee." When you start coveting someone else’s gift, you take your eyes off of Jesus.Not everyone can be all parts of the body. If we measure our meager abilities against others, we end up thinking that somehow our talents aren't good enough; we take our eyes off Jesus. If we look on those that has less talent than ourselves, and we decide to strut our stuff just to show how much more talent or gifting we actually have, we take our eyes off of Jesus. We have also judged in our hearts that that person's offering isn't as good as mine. We see them as not as effective as we are; as ammunition that fails to fire; as failure. Ultimately we dishonor our God!
"For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do” submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God” his chosen people (Galatians 6:14-16 message bible). Remember; because of Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross, we are all winners!!!
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2)
These scriptures in Hebrews 12 are a very good reminder for us that competition has no place in the body of Christ. Apostle Paul is letting us know that there are pioneers who blazed the way, and veterans that are cheering us on. This means that we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running-and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God;"(message bible). Apostle Paul, the writer of this book, was simply talking about finishing the race, not about winning the race. Winning implies competition whereas finishing implies perseverance and singleness of purpose; completion. Everyone who finishes winds up a winner! God has given every man a degree of certain gifts and talents. Some to a lesser degree and some to a greater degree. Some people can sing until heaven opens up, and others can preach until revival breaks out. Maybe your singing ability is limited to just pleasing God as you sing in the shower. Perhaps your preaching ability is limited to a one-on-one encounter. Either way, no one of these gifts is any less than the other; it's all about glorifying God! If we compare ourselves to the person that is causing heaven to open up, or to the person that causes revival to break out, then we begin to covet their gifts. Proverbs 4:25 says: "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee." When you start coveting someone else’s gift, you take your eyes off of Jesus.Not everyone can be all parts of the body. If we measure our meager abilities against others, we end up thinking that somehow our talents aren't good enough; we take our eyes off Jesus. If we look on those that has less talent than ourselves, and we decide to strut our stuff just to show how much more talent or gifting we actually have, we take our eyes off of Jesus. We have also judged in our hearts that that person's offering isn't as good as mine. We see them as not as effective as we are; as ammunition that fails to fire; as failure. Ultimately we dishonor our God!
"For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do” submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God” his chosen people (Galatians 6:14-16 message bible). Remember; because of Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross, we are all winners!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment