Feb. 02, 2025

“LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT”

“RUNNING THE RACE”

HEBREWS 12:1-13

Hebrews 12 turns the attention on us believers, answering the question, “So what?” In light of these examples of heroic faith, how should we live our own lives?

1.  The Example Of The Son Of God- Hebrews 12:1-4

*Look At The Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1 “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.”

“Therefore” vs.1-connects this passage with the previous discussion in a cause-and-effect relationship.

*Look At Yourself

All believers have entered into the contest of faith. We are told to set aside two things, “every weight” and “the sin which so easily ensnares us.” vs.1

Colossians 2:1 “For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.”

“Every weight” or encumbrance literally refers to that which hinders one from doing something.

The second hindrance to spiritual maturity is “the sin which so easily ensnares us.” vs.1 Any sin can trip you up, from the smallest fib to outright apostasy.

*Look At Jesus Christ

Hebrews 12:2-3 “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. 3For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

We’re to “look unto Jesus” vs.2 or fix our eyes on Jesus, this means to direct one’s attention without distraction, Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone, is to be the focus of our attention.

Jesus endured ruthless, unjust persecution from sinners (vs.2-3). Yet these experiences were not outside His Father’s plan and purpose.

Acts 2:23 “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.”

Hebrews 5:8 “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

Philippians 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

2.   The Assurance Of The Love Of God- Hebrews 12:4-13

Unlike their Savior the Jewish believers reading this letter had not yet suffered for their faith to the extent of shedding blood.

Hebrews 12:4 “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

If God were pleased with them, why would they be suffering?

Proverbs 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.”

*The Assurance of God’s Love; The Scriptures:

He quotes this now in Hebrews:

Hebrews 12:5-6 “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

To avoid these two extremes, we need to see our struggles, trials, and temptations as something God is using to grow us. 

C. S. Lewis sums it up well, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Faith therefore, enables us to respond to God’s discipline with hope rather than with either indifference or despair.

Hebrews 12:7 “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not  chasten?”

In this passage, the author unpacks the proverb regarding God’s discipline with four principles that help believers in the midst of their discomfort and pain:

*First, God’s Discipline Assures Us That We Are His Children.

Hebrews 12:7-8 “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”

*Second, God’s Discipline Deepens and Enhances Our Spiritual Life.

Hebrews 12:9 “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”

Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”

*Third, God’s Discipline Continues For Our Benefit.

Hebrews 12:10 “For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.”

In contrast, our heavenly Father is perfect, infallible, consistent, and fair, and He always uses just the right means of discipline to accomplish what He wants to accomplish in our lives.

*Fourth, God’s Discipline, Though Painful, Is Ultimately Valuable.

Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

*The Blessed Result- Hebrews 12:12-13

God’s loving hand of fatherly discipline produces assurance by demonstrating that we are His children (12:7-8). It results in maturity by deepening and enhancing our spiritual lives (12:9). It leads to conformity with God’s character by continuing to draw closer to Him throughout our lives (12:10). And it results in holiness by pruning us in order to produce spiritual fruit (12:11).

In light of these principles of discipline, what should be our reaction?

Hebrews 12:12-13 “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”