Weight that Slows

[Alive]

“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,”

(Hebrews 12:1 NKJV)

In these days where evil abounds all around us, as the Day of the Lord nears, let’s shed all that hinders our race and rather run as we are fleet of foot in the power of our New Life.

This race requires endurance and endurance requires hydration and nutrition. Stay in the Word and consume His bread and drink His Water. Be so nourished and run, brethren.

[FJK]

It would be interesting to discuss in what those weights are, how they manifest themselves and become real, in our individual lives and how to discard and be free of them.

[Alive]

I think the weight comes in many forms for each brother, but to me, it is chiefly whatever of this world that temporarily turns our eyes from the goal. Its necessary to focus on a goal in order to run for it.

[Alive]

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 3:14 NKJV)

[FJK]

7 minutes ago, Alive said:

Its necessary to focus on a goal in order to run for it.

Jesus told us to seek the Kingdom of God first and (in effect) let all the other things take care of themselves.

I find this is actually a whole lot more difficult to do than it sounds, at least for me, since it seems to go against my very nature to do so.

[Neighbor]

5 minutes ago, FJK said:

It would be interesting to discuss in what those weights are, how they manifest themselves and become real, in our individual lives and how to discard and be free of them.

 Hi, Perhaps interesting; however I think I'd rather dwell on what to fill the void with that will be left. Otherwise I become an empty house with a welcome sign out for that which inhibited before, one that will bring many friends in to party on, making me worse off than before.

Tis easier to point out the flaws, the sins, than it is to crowd them out with new tenants the positive things that  honor God's glory. Many a church body falls into a habit of pointing out flaws, yet falls to encourage that which is  positive replacement for those things. That leaves each body member  with more trouble than they ever had before, along with the tendency to engage in simply pointing at sin as though that has accomplished something.

 It is good (Best for me) to be engaged in the doing of that which is good in the sight of God, leaving no time and no room for that which is not. 

 

[Alive]

1 minute ago, FJK said:

Jesus told us to seek the Kingdom of God first and (in effect) let all the other things take care of themselves.

I find this is actually a whole lot more difficult to do than it sounds, at least for me, since it seems to go against my very nature to do so.

Yes…we need His Help and as we walk in Him, we learn that we can do nothing. He wants us to come to the very end of ourselves and our own strength in order to truly learn to rely on Him.

Fall on your face before Him in prayer and seek earnestly His Help. Our Lord has promised to provide what we need.

[Alive]

Whatever you do while on this earth, do it as before the Lord.

Scripture teaches us we cannot leave the world, but our hearts do not need to anchor here.

[FJK]

3 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

It is good (Best for me) to be engaged in the doing of that which is good in the sight of God, leaving no time and no room for that which is not. 

Oh, I agree with all you've said but I didn't state my post well.

I wasn't really referring to just our sins as such but was thinking more along the lines of the things, the possessions, activities, etc. of our lives that stand in the way of practicing our Christianity to its fullest. 

Allegorically it's like wanting new furniture for my room but having no place to put it since my current furniture takes up all the space.  I have to get rid of something if I want to put something new in its place. (OK, so probably not the best allegory but it should give the idea of what I'm thinking about).

[Alive]

We must have furniture while in this world. I have learned to hold those things loosely, so that their loss, if necessary, pales in comparison to the Goal.