Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2007-01-14 23:50:42 · 17 answers · asked by bhbghgjbvmnbncvb 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't know. Maybe that the path we are walking is pre destined, that we should embrace God and Christ with all our hearts, forget the rest of it and live our lives right (without sin) and encourage others to walk on teh same path with us.
What do you think it means?
2007-01-14 23:56:08 · answer #1 · answered by Searching 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Some great answers by brothers and sisters in Christ already. I'll add my humble offerings.
As already pointed out, Chapter 11 mentions that many biblical figures have ran their race even though there was lots of persecutions and many paid the ultimate price. Their struggles were as real as the readers of the Hebrews letter in facing persecution for their faith and false teachings. However, even though all they had was a promise from God about the future, they were not turned aside, but persevered.
Therefore, the author of Hebrews calls us to also follow their example. In verses 3-6, the author draws upon the experiences of Jesus and the heroes of faith, and states that what we face is nothing compared against them. The same God that they believed in has not changed. Each one of his promises still holds for us. That should be our motivation, our goal.
How do we run a race?
1. Run light. Do you win a race wearing a heavy backpack and holding dumbbells in your hands? That's what things like unforgiveness, immorality, greed etc. can do to us. Likewise, are our hearts fertile soil for the seed of the word of God or is it choked with weeds, thorns and worries of the world? Do we bear the yoke of the world on our shoulders or do we surrender them to Jesus because his yoke is easy and his burden is light?
2. Run straight. Sin and various distractions of the world seek to put us off, to entangle us, to trip us over. Dabbling with sin and temptation slows us down, and tries to set us off our course. People around us may try to slow us down or stop us. We are to ignore these things- submit ourselves to God, flee from temptations, resist the devil.
3. Run with perseverance. The Christian life is not a sprint. It's a marathon. We need to pace ourselves, and have long term sustenance. It is not how we start that is important, but how we finish. There's no good giving up half way because we will lose everything we've worked so hard for. This race is one way only. Once we start there is no turning back.
4. Run with the goal in mind. Each race has a destination. We run towards the goal- our heavenly dwelling in 1 Corinthians 4. We run towards the promises of God that we take in faith in this life, but will come in heaven. We run with determination to win the race. Not to win a crown that is temporary, but a crown that will last forever.
2007-01-15 01:13:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means a person is changing their life according to Gods requirements. So bad habits and and bad associations are part of things that can hinder you, and thus lead to sin which like a fisherman would say, entangles you like a net. A christian is judged by their life course. So if a person says to you just a say a prayer and be baptized and you can be a christian.
The more involved part of what you have chosen is to give your life for the kingdom of God. So it is the rest of your life you live for God and not for yourself. Like a long distance runner, you have to maintain focus on Gods promises, and his requirements throughout your life.
2007-01-14 23:59:51 · answer #3 · answered by fire 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For those of you who are curious, it's Hebrews 12:1
In several books of the NT, our Christian life is equated with running a race. While we run that race, both believers AND unbelievers watch us and are influenced by our actions -- so we must understand that we do not run our race in secret. Any runner will tell you that it's very important to train, keep in shape, and do the right things in order to preserve the ability to run. Just as a runner would not take up smoking or drinking, a Christian running this race of faith doesn't permit him/herself to become tripped up in sinful behaviors. Because these behaviors negatively influence our ability to keep "running," we must avoid them. If you want to win the race (go to Heaven), keep on running! Don't give up your faith!
2007-01-14 23:59:19 · answer #4 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
This verse refers to the Saints in Heaven praying for us to make ready for our place in Heaven. "Throwing off everything that hinders.."
refers to leaving behind us all that is not of God- love of wealth, power, prestige, our will over God's, anything that takes us away from ourselves loving God. "Running with perserverance the race..." refers to us continuing in God's grace until the end of our lives.
2007-01-15 00:47:18 · answer #5 · answered by pcgirl33 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really, If one does not know that the Quote is Hebrews 12 (or can't be bothered to look it up) they should not be answering! The writer is encouraging others to hold strongly to their faith, and not doubt. This is clearer if you read Heb 11 first. It is often referred to as "the faith chapter" as it focuses on the faith of some leaders of the past.
2007-01-15 00:08:42 · answer #6 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Before that chapter 12 of Hebrews, especially from chapter 11, we read of people, faithful servants of God who kept integrity to God despite opposition, persecution, insults, threats of death and even deaths. These faithful servants of God chose, like Moses, to ill-treated with God's people than to get a temporary enjoyment of sin(verse 25 of chapter 11, Hebrews) So all these faithful and upright standing servants of God are the 'Great Cloud of Witnesses' which we can learn from and copy their steadfast example of faith in God, so that we too can withstand whatever comes our way, knowing that it is better to be God's friend than friends with the world alienated from God.
Also note verse 2 of chapter 12 of that same Hebrews, our greatest exampler, Jesus, endured even to death. This just shows that as God's servants when we seperate ourselves from the things alienated from God, there is sure to be oppositon , but we can endure and stand firm like these servants of old, this great cloud of witness, and show that we do not serve God out of a selfish motive but out of love, not from what we'll gain but because he first loved us and we show that love inreturn
2007-01-15 00:02:49 · answer #7 · answered by girlfunny 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This verse state that the present sin or wrong act we are committing shall cease because that sin will be the hinders for doing good works.
2007-01-14 23:58:56 · answer #8 · answered by jun 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Kindly supply Citation: Chapter, Verse and Biblical version
2007-01-14 23:55:48 · answer #9 · answered by mypalnow2 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
So many people in heaven which represent the clouds are watching over us. Don't let anything stop or block us from reaching our goals in life. Sin are so tempted walk away from it. Walk or run upward and win the race that he has prepared for you.
2007-01-14 23:57:29 · answer #10 · answered by Enelrad Y 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋