Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1, 2 NKJV)
Leave behind your past sins. They have been many and great, more than we can count. But if you have confessed and forsaken them, they have been put away, "as far as the east is from the west.'" Nothing could be more explicit than 1 John 1:9 NKJV: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is useless to brood over the past. God has buried it in the grave of Christ. Go and sin no more!
Leave behind our bad habits that encumber us. We know what they are, and how they cling--ill-temper, jealousy, pride, evil-speaking, and many others! We have fallen again and again, overtaken by them, tripped up, our robes stained and torn. There should be some finality in our life, a mark on the grass from which we start to run the race. The command to put off the old man is in the definite tense: But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, (Colossians 3:8, 9 NKJV). It is talking about one sudden strong act of the will, God-nerved and God-empowered. This, then, is the hour when we must make a strike for liberty "Ye have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Leave behind our accomplished ideals. They were once far in front and above us. As we climbed they seemed almost inaccessible, and mocking voices rang out their defiance of our attempt. But by the grace of God things that once we dreamed of are now realized, and we are sitting on the peak that once seemed to laugh at us and to mock us. But we must leave it behind! Look up! Look forward! Are there not fresh ideals calling to us? Leave behind our attainments and strike our tents. One battle is fought, but a yet stronger foe bars the way immediately in front. It is suicidal to rest on our oars; to do so will expose us to the inevitable backward drift.
The best way to leave behind is to press forward. The Spirit of God bids us "run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus." He is our forerunner, always before us, always leading us on. His crest, like the plume of Henry of Navarre, is always in the very thick of the fight. Let the soul follow hard after Him, and it will become almost oblivious to what it leaves behind. The boy, who is running for the goal, in his eagerness to win the prize, strips himself of one and another article of clothing. He will not count their worth, so long as he may win the prize. So run that you may attain! Apprehend that for which you were apprehended! Lay hold on the outstretched crown of life!
PRAYER
Most gracious God, quicken me by your Holy Spirit, that I may run in the way You have marked out for me. May I ever be kept looking off unto Jesus. For it’s in His Name I pray, AMEN
God's Daily Promise
Promise
#15:
I will take hold of your hand to keep you from falling.
Psalm 37:24 (WEB)
Though
he stumble, he shall not fall,
for
Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
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