How fast are you going?
In the epistle to the Hebrews (12:1), the author introduces us to the RACE. He tells us to RUN hard so as to win the prize. He also entreats us to lay aside the weight of sin that ensnares and would slow us down, like running with a ball and chain around our ankles. Looking at the effects of sin we can see how that could happen.
Psalm 1:1 states that blessed is the man who does not
WALK in the counsel of the wicked or
STANDs in the way of sinners or
SITs in the seat of scoffers.
When we sin, repeatedly sin and dwell in sin it will have the effect of slowing down our lives. As we can see above, we go from running, to walking, to standing and finally sitting. Sin brings guilt which forces us to deal with the sin and therefore detracts us from our ministry for him. When we persist in sin, we find what was walking now brings us to a standstill. Guilt increase, our prayer life decreases and reading the Word becomes practically no existent. Sin will takes us even further where we fall and sit. (Sitting being the place of apathy, inaction, laziness) It is no more God who sits on the throne of our hearts but us.
Only one thing can reverse the trend: REPENTANCE
RE – Recognizing our sin and situation
PEN – Approaching God with a Penitent heart
TAN – Tangibly changing our heart and attitudes
CE – Ceasing all sin and unrighteousness
At this point we can restart the race. We begin to stand as Ephesians 6:10-13 would put it.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
As we walk in obedience and purity, God will pave the way for us. This will allow us to begin the walk and then promote us back to running the race. It can even take us into new heights of soaring with eagles.
(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall (3) MOUNT UP with wings as eagles; they shall (2) RUN, and not be weary; and they shall (1) WALK, and not faint.
Soaring with God is a magnificent thing. Mind you, there is only one who soared so high that God told him to stick around. That was Enoch.
In the epistle to the Hebrews (12:1), the author introduces us to the RACE. He tells us to RUN hard so as to win the prize. He also entreats us to lay aside the weight of sin that ensnares and would slow us down, like running with a ball and chain around our ankles. Looking at the effects of sin we can see how that could happen.
Psalm 1:1 states that blessed is the man who does not
WALK in the counsel of the wicked or
STANDs in the way of sinners or
SITs in the seat of scoffers.
When we sin, repeatedly sin and dwell in sin it will have the effect of slowing down our lives. As we can see above, we go from running, to walking, to standing and finally sitting. Sin brings guilt which forces us to deal with the sin and therefore detracts us from our ministry for him. When we persist in sin, we find what was walking now brings us to a standstill. Guilt increase, our prayer life decreases and reading the Word becomes practically no existent. Sin will takes us even further where we fall and sit. (Sitting being the place of apathy, inaction, laziness) It is no more God who sits on the throne of our hearts but us.
Only one thing can reverse the trend: REPENTANCE
RE – Recognizing our sin and situation
PEN – Approaching God with a Penitent heart
TAN – Tangibly changing our heart and attitudes
CE – Ceasing all sin and unrighteousness
At this point we can restart the race. We begin to stand as Ephesians 6:10-13 would put it.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
As we walk in obedience and purity, God will pave the way for us. This will allow us to begin the walk and then promote us back to running the race. It can even take us into new heights of soaring with eagles.
(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall (3) MOUNT UP with wings as eagles; they shall (2) RUN, and not be weary; and they shall (1) WALK, and not faint.
Soaring with God is a magnificent thing. Mind you, there is only one who soared so high that God told him to stick around. That was Enoch.
