Condemning Fingers

 

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse.” (Romans 2:1a NLT)

You raise your hand and, with your second finger, call attention to something or someone. The problem with using your index finger to point out obvious flaws in anything or anyone is that you have three condemning fingers pointing back at you, not just one, but three. Pointing can happen without lifting a finger. Without raising a hand, you can accuse or criticize others with your words or thoughts, but in doing so, condemn yourself.

Who are the “such people” in the passage? In his letter to the Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul warns them about God’s anger concerning humanity's wickedness. There is no excuse for anyone not to know God's truth because it is clear by seeing everything He made (Romans 1:18–20). Paul describes the depravity of those who recognized God but rejected Him by wicked and shameful living noted in Chapter One. Having no desire to change their ways, God turned them over to their vile hearts’ cravings (1:24–32).

According to God’s Word, when we spot and point out flaws and wickedness in others and think they deserve punishment, we recognize the evil because the same faults are in us (2:1). But by the grace of God, we are capable of the same things as those we accuse and deserve the same sentence of God’s disapproval and judgment. Before judging others, including their children, remember: Whoever digs a pit will fall in it, and when you roll a stone, it will roll back over you (Proverbs 26:27).

On the Other Side

 

“But straightway Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.’” (Matthew 14:27)

After seeing miracle after miracle, the disciples showed their lack of faith by asking Jesus how He could feed thousands of hungry people with only a few small baskets of food (vs. 14–21). They failed this faith-lesson, but Jesus had another one prepared.

Jesus miraculously fed the hungry listeners, then instructed His disciples to board a boat, cross over the eight-miles-wide Sea of Galilee and wait for Him to meet them on the other side. Midway, a violent storm arose that prevented them from turning back or going across—obeying Jesus and forces of nature had them stuck in a storm. Fear of the raging storm and the darkness of night veiled the disciples’ vision as Jesus walked on water towards them; they thought He was a ghost. Once again, they lost sight of who He was and all that He taught them. When Jesus spoke, they recognized Him, and fear left. The storm ended as Jesus got into the boat with them, and they safely crossed over.

Sometimes God’s children prove the same lack of confidence in His ability, the Creator of all that exists, because of what our physical eyes see. But He has teachings ready in advance for us as well, lessons carefully crafted with teaching techniques fitted for every individual’s best. After completing each assignment, the next will be just a little more challenging. Training is always for our good, although not all life-storms originate with God; some are of our own making, while others are the work of our adversary of this world to discourage and defeat us. But if you are in a storm, it is only by God’s permissive will. You nor Satan can override His authority.

Whether God has thrust you into a storm, you created one yourself, or the enemy wielded it—no matter the cause of your storm-like struggle—you never go through it alone. Jesus said He would never leave us or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5). If you feel alone, you are not; you merely lost sight of God’s Savior—your Rescuer. Jesus is with you and will see you safely through to the other side of the problem. He will never leave you. Listen closely for His voice as He whispers, take courage, don’t be afraid; I am here with you. Each difficulty you undergo and overcome with God’s help prepares you for the next one; life-lessons do not end until we meet our Maker face-to-face.

Fixed Focus

 

“. . . Looking unto Jesus, the Author, and Finisher of our faith . . .” (Hebrews 12:2)

The Amplified Bible interprets this segment of verse two more precisely:

“[Looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity] . . .”

The passage in Hebrews quoted on the first day of January begins with the word “wherefore” (or therefore). This word links the heroes of faith mentioned in chapter eleven to what the writer says in chapter twelve: “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. . .” Whether these named and unnamed faith heroes, along with our loved ones and angels in heaven, form this “great cloud of witnesses” and watch as we run our race is unknown. But we do know innumerable witnesses surround us. Whoever the witnesses are, I like to think of them cheering us on, like spectators in sports events applaud and cheer to encourage the participants. Victory is possible by God’s grace. The heroes of faith’s life-run are an inspiration for us to endure to the end.

Believers must train rigorously with dedication, just as athletes. We must consistently nourish ourselves with God’s Word; we must take off anything that impedes our running. We must run with determination and a fixed focus—not on circumstances, not on people, not on the past, but Jesus. Don’t lose heart; consider all He endured for you on the cross. Catch your second wind and keep going. No stopping until you cross the finish line and rest in the arms of Jesus, who is waiting for you.

No Looking Back

“. . . And let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

The King James Bible uses the word patience in this verse, which sounds more passive, not as assertive as the Amplified Bible’s “endurance,” which is the meaning here. Persistence suggests you are in it for the long-haul, doing whatever it takes to carry out the task at hand. Running life’s race of faith requires steadfastness and stamina because the route is not always challenge-free. Sometimes the path leads uphill and other times, downhill. Sharp curves may take you by surprise, but with God alongside you, you can make it. Obstacles will fall across the way, but like the hurdler, jump over them (or run around them); just don’t quit.

 Even though you hurdle those barriers that fall, they can still stunt your performance because sometimes, they are of our making:

Regrets: Dwelling on past transgressions causes stagnation; it does nothing but harm. Although it is impossible to find all the loose feathers once you shake them out of a pillow, you can find peace with your Maker. Look for and receive forgiveness from God and, if needed, the offended party, and move on.

Guilt or Shame: Those mistakes you made are behind you. You asked God to forgive you, and He did. No matter how grave they were, stop looking back and wondering, What if. Thank God for His grace, learn from your mistakes, and continue forward. And though some failures sprout consequences, they need not cause stumbling. Accept what God allows and seek His wisdom and strength to deal with any ripples caused by your poor choices or failures. God’s love never diminishes—He wants His best for you.

Debilitating thoughts often tear believers down quicker and do more damage than the enemy of our soul. But our minds stay healthy and at peace if we follow these instructions from the apostle Paul: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT).

Each day draws you closer to the prize that awaits. Keep running with unwavering confidence in the One who called you. Set your face like flint toward the finish line, no looking back. Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, is waiting for you. 

Keep Your Stride

“. . . And the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us. . .” (Hebrews 12:1 AMP)

External factors and personal sins will slow us down in our race of life, so we must cast off those weights. Then there is “the sin.” Everyone has an effortlessly and shrewdly entangling sin. What is that one sin? Because we are all different, so is that fault for each of us.

How do you recognize “the sin?” That besetting sin is the one that happens more often than others, the one that sends you into a tailspin, making you lose stride; it may even knock you off your feet. Is your flaw impatience or self-control? Are you a “fixer,” thinking you alone know the right way or answer? Are you easily drawn into gossip, spreading words that are unkind, untrue, or none of your business? Short tempers, over-indulgence, pride, tale-bearing—or whatever the sin is that trips you most in life—is the one that will most hinder your walk with the Lord, distort your Christlike image, and obstruct success to the finish line.

Although we are often our worst enemy, the Christian’s adversary of this world, Satan, has minions always watching and listening for believers’ embarrassing shortcomings and failures. When we speak words of frustration, despair, fear, and defeat, we open the door of opportunity for them that work gladly and tirelessly concocting situations to trip or detour us in our goal of Christlikeness. So, carefully guard your words, actions, and reactions.

Are we doomed if everyone has a sin that plagues their daily walk? No. Talk to God. Tell Him you recognize the problem (of which He is already aware) and surrender it to Him. As you draw from His resources of strength and wisdom within you, trust Him to help you overcome every obstacle in the way. Keep your stride. God wants you to run obstruction-free even more than you do. 

Ready, Set, Go!

 

“. . . Stripping off every unnecessary weight. . .” (Hebrews 12:1 AMP)

We are in a life race, and from the start line to the finish line, our lifelong run is about conforming to the image of Christ, becoming more like Him. In our transforming process into His likeness, we are to tell others the Good News of everlasting life (John 3:16) and Jesus’ soon return. But along the way, we pick up needless and sometimes harmful “baggage” that hinders us; those bags must go.

The word “stripping” reminds me of removing a surgical bandage that must come off at the right time for complete healing. You know it will cause discomfort, may even draw tears to your eyes, but you do it because it is necessary. Each person carries weights; some of them are for the good of fellow believers: In Galatians 6:2, the Bible calls for Christians to bear one another’s burdens because it fulfills the law of Christ (love one another). Other loads we carry are self-inflicted consequences from poor choices. Then there are weights packed on from external factors.

One outer weight to consider is the company we keep. If people you often associate with are negative rather than positive, separate yourself from them. Do your associates live contrary to God’s Word—untruthful, untrustworthy, or unruly; do they speak poorly of God’s children? Some of those people you need only distance yourself from, while others you must disassociate with—strip them off—no matter how painful the parting. You can minister to people without a “buddy-close” involvement.

Intimidation is another outside force that hinders the life-run. The tongue is a small organ, but one with great power. With it, words spoken can build up, tear down, or hold hostage—the person who told you that you would never amount to anything or you can never change: Destroyer. The parent who pressed you to follow in their occupation even though God gave you a specific, different path, or the person who made you promise something on their deathbed: Hostage Taker. As the hearer of words spoken to you, allow the Holy Spirit within you to filter what to receive or reject.

Strip off every weight from your mind, heart, and life—those that are self-induced or come from outward forces, so you run the race unhindered. Discard everything from your life that is not from God and run victoriously.

Begin the Ending

 

“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author, and Finisher of our faith . . .” (Hebrews 12:1–2)

Today you begin the ending of another New Year. You make resolutions with the sincerest heart, but some of your heartfelt and well-thought-out plans are short-lived. Often, those well-intended resolutions are not honored because of lost focus. Focus is intentional, a concentrated and fixed sight. Focus is vital in keeping us on track, which brings us to the passage's subject: a race. Whether athletically inclined or not, everyone alive is a participant in the race of life. But the writer of Hebrews focuses on believers, God’s children, running in this unique race. 

Many track runners wear skimpy, lightweight, well-fitted clothing and shoes, and sometimes headgear, so the wind flows freely over them as they run—no resistance. A healthy diet, exercise, rest, and daily training are crucial for physical fitness to run a race, but this passage does not mention any of these. Instead, he instructs believers to “lay aside every weight.” We are to cast off everything that might constrict or resist our way through life: concerns, wrong attitudes, unforgiveness—anything that would hinder success in our lifelong race. This removal includes “the sin that so easily besets us,” the one “something” (or someone) that triggers you to think, say, or do that which would not happen under normal circumstances. Unless you cast off that besetting sin, it will trip you up every time.

Once you have removed all hindrances, run with perseverance. Keep your eyes—your focus—on the Author and Finisher of your faith; no hesitation, no looking back, or you will lose stride, or worse, stumble. Jesus is with you from the beginning of your faith-run and will be there as you cross the finish line. Be resolute every day to run your race well; there is a host of witnesses who have gone on before you, watching and cheering you on to victory.