Hebrews Chapter Twelve, Running The Race

 

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.

 

The writer begins by saying, “Therefore we also.” The contrast has been made since Hebrews 11:39, with the words, “and all these.” “These,” of course, refers to the Old Testament saints that died prior to the cross, and were saved looking toward it, rather than looking back at its accomplishment. Hebrews 11:40 compares us (the saints after the cross, during the dispensation of the church) with them, the OT saints.

It is clear that God’s plan of salvation was a patient one, in terms of providing an equal part in the kingdom between the Old and New Testament saints. What the Jewish heroes of the faith received prior to Jesus’ advent is not inferior to what we have received, in terms of our ultimate destiny. However, the Christian does possess an advantage that is, “better,” in that we, unlike the Old Testament saints, receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit; something that was unknown before Pentecost and the foundation of the church.

 

Now the writer addresses the Hebrew Christians, adding himself to their number as men and women saved by God’s grace. He attests that Christians are compassed by a multitude of witnesses. But what does this mean? And furthermore, why does this matter? Chapter 11 dealt with the triumphs of the saints of yore, and how through works their faith in God was made manifest to the world. They all died in faith, we are told, Hebrews 11:13. Who is numbered in the cloud of witnesses? The context suggests, like the OT saints, it is the watching and judging eyes of the world, saved or unsaved.

 

The author is compelling us, he is challenging us, to lay aside the hindrances of the flesh that would compel us to fail or surrender to worldly pleasure and vice. We are to cast aside every weight. A weight obviously encumbers someone when they bear it, but we are counseled that we need endurance to run the race set before us. One cannot run a race of endurance competitively while bearing unneeded weight with them. And we know that such proverbial weight is unnecessary since we are counseled to set it aside. How often are we in the word, in prayer, in conversation, preaching the gospel, serving others, serving in the church, verses watching Youtube, Tiktok, Netflix, et al? These things, while not evil of itself, become so when we prioritize entertainment over spiritual exercise and growth or service to our fellow man. We need to lay aside the weight secular life wants to foist upon us, and to be honest, the weight we so readily, even eagerly take upon ourselves. The Apostle Paul spoke of running the race in a manner that meant you are determined to win the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:24.

 

The saints of chapter 11 demonstrated their faith by their works, as James would say. In fact it is impossible for the world to assay the veracity of your faith without seeing it in action, as it were. This cloud of witnesses will glorify God for the works done in faith, done in His name, when He comes to be admired among His saints. Our works should be done in God, for His glory to demonstrate the reality of our faith, 1 Thessalonians 1:12, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 10:31.

 

Mind you, this race the author mentions is not a race for our salvation. No: salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, something already dealt with exhaustively earlier in our examination of the epistle. However, it is worth overstating, because millions of professing Christians do not know, understand, or believe that salvation is this simple. The apostle assures us that it is. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:18. How is it foolishness? Paul writes, “For the Jews request a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom,” 1 Corinthians 1:22. Rather than signs and wonders or humanistic wisdom, Paul presented, “Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,” 1 Corinthians 1:23. The gospel isn’t a race; rather, the message of the cross is an invitation to join in the race the saints are already running, for the reward of the crown God will give to those that serve faithfully, 1 Corinthians 9:25, James 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4. Jesus told the seven churches of Asia through John, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown,” Revelation 3:11. Salvation can’t be stolen from someone, and another utilizes it; the context in this passage suggests nothing of the sort. However, it does agree with Paul’s conversation about running the race, meaning to win, lest someone else disqualify you and take the imperishable crown, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. A Christian may lose his reward, but not his salvation, which is eternal, 1 Corinthians 3:15.

 

No, the race set before us is that simple: one of reward for dutiful service. This aligns with the parable Jesus spoke about the minas. The first servant, given one mina earned with it ten more. The master told him, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities,” Luke 19:17. The point of this parable is not to address whether or not these servants are saved. The servants that traded ARE saved, and by their actions (trading minas) demonstrated it. The third servant, not knowing the character of his master, did nothing with the mina and was cast into outer darkness, see the similar parable of the talents in Matthew 25:30. James wrote that faith without works is dead. The idea is that genuine faith is lively and shows itself in our daily living. A sterile faith of word alone is not saving faith because genuine faith believes the One that spoke, and then acts on this belief.

 

Going back to the trading of minas, we see reward for service rendered. The master attributes goods to servants and expects returns. Jesus declares, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work,” Revelation 22:12. Re-read Revelation 3:11 and note the tonal similarity. Christ’s reward will be given, “according to [our] work.” What is in view is not justification. “Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,” Romans 4:4, 5. Rather, the author is implying the race that occurs during our sanctification. When we are saved we are made righteous and fit for Heaven. One cannot be any more fit for Heaven the moment we are saved through the gospel. What happens after is called sanctification, or salvation from sin’s power over our daily life. This the writer alludes to when he speaks of weight (worldly temptation) and temptation’s outcome—sin—which causes us to stumble and forfeit our prize, James 1:14, 15. Sin easily ensnares us. Jesus warned His disciples, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:41. The Greek term for “weak,” is “asthenes,” and means, “strengthless,” in either a literal, figurative, or moral sense. The concept is not underdeveloped strength; it is the utter lack of moral integrity apart from our Lord. In the flesh we can do nothing that pleases God; we may please Him in the spirit, but only as we abide in His Son, John 15:1-8. Otherwise our works are burned, not being done in God, John 15:6, Hebrews 6:8, 1 Corinthians 3:13, 15.