You see, there and elsewhere in the New Testament, the Christian life is compared to a race.

It’s a participle which goes, “Laying aside every encumbrance, let us run with endurance the race.” So, the real “let us” phrase on which we need to focus in that verse is, “Let us run, with endurance, the race that is set before us.”

If I go back over the complete verse, it goes like this: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and then let us run with endurance the race.” Now in the English translation there are two “let us” phrases in that one verse, which is perfectly legitimate translation but it so happens that in the original Greek, the first phrase, “lay aside every encumbrance,” is not in that form in the original. The step we’re looking at today, the ninth step, is found there in verse 1, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” However, because of the circumstances of the English translation, I need to add a word of explanation about that verse. I’ll read the first two verses of that chapter: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Today we’re going to look at the ninth step, which is found in the opening verses of Hebrews 12. Let me urge you to remember my suggestion that as we go through these successive steps, you commit them to memory. So please, take time to write to me, even if it’s only a brief note.Įach of our twelve steps to a good year is taken from a sentence in the epistle to the Hebrews, beginning with the words, “let us.” So far we’ve looked at eight successive steps which were: (l) Let us fear (2) Let us be diligent (3) Let us hold fast our confession (4) Let us draw near to the throne of grace (5) Let us press on to maturity (6) Let us draw near to the Most Holy Place (7) Let us hold fast our confession without wavering (8) Let us consider one another. It encourages me greatly to hear how this radio ministry of mine has been helping you and blessing you. Before I finish this talk we’ll be giving you a mailing address to which you may write. This week I’m going to continue and complete the theme that I’ve been following for the last two weeks, “Twelve Steps to a Good Year.”īut first, let me say “Thank you” to those of you who have been writing to me.

It’s good to be with you again at the beginning of a new week, sharing with you Keys to Successful Living that God has placed in my hand through many years of personal experience and Christian ministry.

Run the race with endurance