Hebrews ch12 vs1 – 11.
Is religion or faith just a matter of opinion?
Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, all had various opinions, but
Christianity has a most significant difference…
Jesus Christ did not have discussions with other wise people
and come to a conclusion on matters – he absolutely knew all things from the
very beginning!
He spoke like no other religious leader ever did, and came
to tell us what He already knew was facts and truth – not just what he thought like
the others.
He had the ultimate authority to do so – He created us and
everything else!
Therefore, we all need to take His words with the utmost
seriousness.
You may ask, how do we know Jesus Christ is God’s eternal
Son, coming from Heaven?
The Word of God over 4000 years prophesied 100’s of details
about the coming Messiah, all proving to be exactly fulfilled!
These included His birthplace of Bethlehem ,
and His race – of the tribe of Judah .
The truth recorded in the Bible is thrilling and
indisputable!
The speaker then gave us a heading for the message –
“Living the Life of Faith in Jesus”…
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to the Jewish
Christians, who were lapsing back into Judaism, and having second thoughts at
that time.
In earlier Chapter 11, we are given a list of people who had
amazing faith in God.
They were great witnesses with wonderful testimonies,
showing the beginnings of the faith of Jews.
But now in Chapter 12, the people were being reminded and
confirming that Jesus Christ was bringing that faith to completion -
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
Looking away from all others!
He alone is our example, our inspiration, the only One to
focus on.
As Christians, we are encouraged to “run with patience the
race that is set before us”.
It is a demanding race, but one that is very rewarding.
We need to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth
so easily beset us”.
This can mean cutting out of our lives anything that hinders
us in following and serving The Lord Jesus Christ. This may include things that
are not bad, as innocent interests can also get in the way.
God knows each of our personal battles against sin
and hindrance, and we must persevere!
Jesus Christ endured all things for us, all the way to Calvary ’s Cross.
He set His face as a flint to go to Jerusalem …
“… who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God”.
The Lord Jesus Christ showed us what faith is, ever doing His
Father’s will and entirely trusting in Him.
We too all need to trust the work of Salvation that Jesus
Christ did for us on The Cross in dying for our sins, and putting our personal
faith in Him.
We do this individually, by asking Him to forgive us for all
the sins we have done against Him - the Holy God. Ask Jesus Christ to come into
your heart and life as Lord and Saviour, turning away from your old sinful way
of life and living the new life pleasing to Him.
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge
after the image of him that created him”. – Colossians ch3 vs10.
Whatever you may have done in the past, whoever you are, if
you come to Him in repentance He will not refuse you –
“… him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”. –
John’s Gospel ch6 vs37.
“… there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over
one sinner that repenteth”. – Luke’s Gospel ch15 vs10.
In this race, let all our sights be set on Jesus Christ and
Heaven – a place of timeless joy!
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is
fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”. – Psalm
ch16 vs11.
That’s what is before us for all eternity!
Friend, if you
have never yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please do so
tonight.
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