Heb. 12:1(kjv) 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(Amp)
[1]THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We call ourselves Christ followers; we were not forced to enlist in this grace! We have one Lord, one faith, one commission, one destination and one character!
We pass through the same road, the narrow road, we have the same confession, one creed, we are not divided.
From ages past, the standards have not been changed, it has not been lowered for saints before us no matter the depth of their trials, and certainly will not for us!
The advantage we have is that we ave grace to carry us through, and we have the holy spirit living inside us.
We hold forth together like a chain, strong!
We are not divided, one in faith, in doctrine, in love, and in hope.
The saints gone before, some were burnt alive, some were beheaded, some were hanged, some were stoned to death. Others were tortured beyond explanation, yet all held to this confession and left a rich testimony of endurance and great faith! They never gave up!
Why do you want to be the weak link in the family? Is your trial bigger than all the saints in the whole world or even those witnesses in heaven watching you now? They are praying for you wishing that you endure just a little more! It is almost over. God's word is fulfilled and the devil is about to be put to shame!
Brethren, the family in heaven and the family on earth are one. Think about this.
Paul one of us in the family says:
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
