25 The Race of Faith

While the previous chapter provided the great examples of those who had lived by faith, chapter 12 will build upon that foundation wo that it might show the believer how to win the race of faith.

The chapter is instructive in the sense, that it serves as admonition for how a believer should faithfully live.

1 Looking unto Jesus

We see the connection between this and the previous chapter, as the author begins with the connecting word “therefore”:

Hebrews 12:1-2

Here, the author refers to those mentioned in chapter 11, as a “cloud of witnesses”.

We should understand that to mean, that those in heaven are now engaged in witnessing our activities on earth. That would be a completely unbiblical idea, since the Bible makes it clear that Jesus alone is the focal point of heaven.

Rather, it speaks of the idea, that the faith-filled lives of those individuals are examples to us, and therefore they “witness” to us.

The Greek word used for “cloud” was a figure of speech (in both Greek and Latin) which was often referred to when speaking of a large gathering.

This pointed back to how in chapter 11, the author mentioned that time wouldn’t permit for him to discuss the great number of people, and their faithful exploits.

Hebrews 12:1b

The author stated that we’re to “lay aside every weight”.

It should be easily understood that sin impedes our running the race of faith.

However, there are also things, which the author describes as “weights” which also hinder and slow us down spiritually.

Weights are things, which while not sinful, are not beneficial to the believer, and then “weigh us down” thus hindering our growth and race of faith.

While weights are easy to obtain, the believer must be intentional in removing them.

In speaking of sin, the author speaks of how we can be easily “ensnared” by them.

The Greek word for ensnared is <euperstatsn> which has several meanings:

• Easily avoided
• Admired
• Ensnaring
• Dangerous
• This shows that there are certain sins which are easily avoidable
• Then there are sins which we “admire” and enjoy participating in
• There are sins which are ensnaring, and like a trap
• Lastly, there are sins which are dangerous

But as we see, the author instructs us to “lay” each of them aside.

The apostle Paul spoke to that in his epistle to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 10:13

The author then speaks of how the believer is to run the race with endurance.

That shows the need to continue and moved forward, even through difficult times.

This aligns with another “difficult” or often misunderstood statement Paul made:

Philippians 2:12-13

The passage doesn’t mean the believer must “work for” our salvation, which is completely unbiblical.

Rather, working out spiritually, is much like working out physically. We are therefore, exercising and strengthening that which we already have.

This presents the three aspects of salvation:

• We “were” saved at the moment of salvation, when we invited Christ into our lives
• We “are being saved” which shows the ongoing aspect of salvation, whereby God continues working in us. This aspect continues throughout our lives.
• We “will be saved” which points to the culmination or fulfillment of our salvation, which will take place when in heaven we will be “glorified” before Christ in His presence.

It’s the second aspect, where we are being saved, where we must cooperate with the Lord, and work out what He is working in us.

“Fear and trembling” shouldn’t be taken as being abject terror of the Lord. Rather, in the Greek, the word used for fear, speaks of having a complete reverence for someone.

Verse 2 is greatly connected to the ideas presented in verse 1:

Hebrews 12:2

While the author had previously presented an impressive list of individuals who’d lived victoriously by faith, here he shows the Jesus is the greatest example.

The phrase “look to Jesus” has in some translations, appeared as “locking our eyes upon Jesus”. The reason is that in the original Greek, the word “looking” connotes the idea of “not looking away”.

Therefore, Jesus must be our singular focus, while on earth, and without doubt, in heaven.

The author then speaks of Jesus as being the “author and finisher of our faith”.

This shows that our faith isn’t only in Christ, but that He is the originator of our faith, thus giving us the saving faith to believe in Him, and when we are in heaven, He will complete our faith – again showing the final aspect of salvation.

To substantiate that Jesus is the ultimate example that we should look to, the author speaks of how He endured the shame of the cross, and after completing His work on earth, He has taken His place by sitting down next to the Father’s throne in heaven.