“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us….” (Heb. 12:1)
We have to be aware that there are enemies of our faith. They are designed to hinder the spiritual growth of the Body of Christ. So, as believers of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to know how to avoid anything that can stop our progress of faith.
You see, by faith you will never exhaust how high you can go with God. You may think it’s good now, but God is saying, “You haven’t seen anything yet!”
Realize that there are things that will keep you in a box or weighed down. These are the things you want to watch out for. If you know what to do, then you can stand strong in your faith in the time of test and trial.
The first thing we are to do is lay aside or put down every weight.
Understand what he is saying here. He is saying, YOU lay aside every weight. That requires a decision from you. The word “every” means all. Weights are enemies to faith. So we cannot afford to have “stuff” hanging around in any area of our lives that can be considered weights.
He said lay aside every weight and the sin. This means whatever is the sin is not the weight. We can conclude then that there is a difference between a weight and a sin.
Look at what the word “weight” means. It means bulk, mass, heap, arrogance, conceit; and it also means “first one.” So he’s saying, lay aside every first one or anything that you put ahead of God.
You may say that you don’t put anything ahead of God. But I am telling you there are a lot of people who put stuff ahead of God. That’s why they are not in church on Sundays or during the week. Getting the Word of God should be number one in your life, for faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
We are talking about things that will hold you back from progressing in faith. Sometimes what we put first may be a beautiful woman or a handsome man. Or your first one may be running after money, fame, career, or whatever.
So throw away or cast down anything that is a heap, or a bulk, so that your faith walk can become stronger and stronger everyday.
Scripture References: Hebrews 10:23-24; Psalm 37:1-9
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).