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29th February 2024
"ThursdayReflection"
"David Guzik offers"
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REASONS TO ENDURE DISCOURAGING TIMES
Look unto Jesus
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
In the mind's eye, the author pictured these previous champions of faith as spectators from the heavens,
cheering us as we press on to overcome present discouragement as in an athletic competition.
The ancient Greek word translated cloud was a figure of speech indicating a large group, and this is so great a cloud of witnesses.
Sin can hold us back.
But there are also things that may not be sin (every weight) but are merely hindrances that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us.
The words 'easily ensnares' translate a difficult ancient Greek word (euperistaton), which can be translated four ways: "easily avoided," "admired," "ensnaring," or "dangerous."
If such ensnaring sins were really the work of demonic possession or demonic influence in the Christian,
this would be an ideal place for the Holy Spirit to address this.
Yet we are never given reason to blame our sin on demons; the appeal is simply for us to, in the power of the Holy Spirit, lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.
The idea of He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus, was comforting indeed to these discouraged Christians.
One may say that Jesus is with us at the starting line and the finish line and all along the way of the race that He sets before us.
Jesus bore a shameful mocking even as He prayed on the cross.
This is a stumbling block to many.
They will do just about anything for Jesus except endure shame or embarrassment.
One great reason for the discouragement among these Jewish Christians was because they saw no reason why God would allow difficult times to arise.
They forgot principles regarding the chastening of the LORD.
Much difficulty in the Christian life comes from those three words: you have forgotten.
Perhaps it is some principle we remember in the mind, but have forgotten in the heart - and we must remember it again.
In times of trial or stress many Christians forget some of the basics.
They seriously wonder if God is still in control or if He still loves them.
We must admit that God does allow every thing that happens; so He must at least passively approve of it, because He certainly has the power to stop bad things that happen.
Of course, God can never be the author of evil.
But He does allow others to choose evil, and He can use the evil choice another makes to work out His ultimately good purpose, even if only to demonstrate His justice and righteousness in contrast to evil.
Only the most proud Christian would claim they are never in need of correction from God. No one is above this training.
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
God deals with you as sons: A fundamental fact of the believer's relationship with God is that He is to His people as a loving, good father is to a son or daughter.
Some have trouble receiving this because they never knew a loving, good human father in their own experience.
Yet, even these can still receive the love of God the Father.
The truth that God is a consuming fire is a comfort to the believer.
They realize that the Father poured out His consuming fire of judgment on the Son in our place.
When He did, it completely consumed the guilt of sin in all who believe.
The penalty of sin was consumed in Jesus at the cross.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
David Guzik
Enduring Word exists to promote the work of Christian discipleship and evangelism worldwide, mainly through the publication and dissemination of the Bible teaching work of David Guzik and likeminded people.
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