Hebrews 12:1(NLT) sets the stage for releasing the things that hold us back and embracing the things of God that propel us forward and upward. It states: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
My youngest daughter once asked me about the origin of the word ‘ouch’ and why it’s our instinctive response to pain. It got me thinking about how our bodies react to injury – pain serves as an instant alert, signaling something’s wrong. Like a body’s warning system, pain not only notifies us of injury but aids in healing by cautioning against further harm.
Pain is to the body what sin is to the body of Christ; sin signals that we have ventured into a territory where hurt, danger, and darkness reign supreme. While we might not immediately feel its spiritual toll, the consequences of sin hinder our progress and cause us to lose time and momentum on this Christian journey. Momentum we can regain, but time is lost forever. It takes time for painful physical wounds to heal, and sometimes our bodies are so physically depleted that they don’t recover. This was the impact of sin before Christ gave his life on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Sin injured our relationship with God to such a degree that none of us had the power and authority to recover. All thanks and glory to our wonderful Heavenly Father, because He did not leave us in this condition.
Concerning the sacrifice of Christ, 1John 2:2(NLT) states: “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” Jesus Christ is the payment for our sins. Through his death and resurrection, we can find forgiveness of our sins and be reconciled to our Heavenly Father. No matter our nationality, ethnicity, or background, we can be forgiven for all our sins through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but many people do not ask for God’s forgiveness. They ignore the sacrifice He has made through Christ to make forgiveness of sin available.
Sin operates as a conduit for pain, carrying its consequences with it. It’s the weightiest burden we could bear, and we should endeavor with all our might to avoid it. Instead of giving in to sin’s allure, Hebrews 12:1 urges us to cast off this burden, acknowledging that sin obstructs our progress in the race of life. As we strive to lay hold of God’s promises and embrace abundance, it’s imperative to recognize that sin hinders our path forward.
Isaiah 59:1-2(ESV) illuminates this truth: “1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Sin creates a chasm between us and God, hiding His presence and blocking our prayers. Many Christians fail to recognize the correlation between sin and its consequences. However, in verses like Isaiah 59:1-2, God unequivocally states in His Word that our refusal to obey Him is a hindrance to our lives.
Engaging in casual or long-term, uncommitted relationships can sometimes lead us to cling tightly to people, inadvertently stifling our faith and hindering our ability to let go of what holds us back. Holding onto something that ought to be released becomes a burden that weighs us down. Just as weights are designed to be heavy, God advises us to shed what becomes too burdensome to bear.
The passage of Philippians 3:13-14(NLT) is just the motivation we need to get rid of the baggage and let go of whatever ties us to our old ways. In it, the Apostle Paul states: “13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Paul understood that he didn’t have it all figured out, but he was laser-focused on one thing: leaving the past behind and charging ahead towards what’s ahead. Paul knew he wasn’t done growing spiritually, and guess what? Neither are we! So, let’s embrace that same attitude of always striving for more growth and maturity in our journey with God through Christ.
The Apostle Paul hits the nail on the head when he teaches about the importance of leaving the past behind. We’ve got to let go of all that pain, baggage, regrets, and failures. Instead, we need to focus on what’s ahead and leave sin in the rearview mirror. It’s all about being committed to stretch forward as you enthusiastically pursue the spiritual growth, blessings, and opportunities that lie ahead. Understand that overcoming barriers requires a shift in our mindset. Holding onto relationships or habits that weigh us down stifles our faith and spiritual growth, but we are empowered through Christ to shed this weight. When we do, we can navigate life’s challenges successfully and emerge triumphant in every area of our lives. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Shedding the Weight” , written by Kim Times, edited by Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.