Cast Off Our Burdens

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

~Hebrews 12:1~

Believers in Christ are called to run the race that God has set before them. While everybody's race is unique to their relationship with Christ, the end goal is to be the same for all; that is, to be living manifestations of God's love.

Although our paths and races are different, they are similar in many ways. We have individual struggles, but everyone will have struggles none the less. In the book of James, it is stated,

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." 

~James 1:12~

We cannot simply give up when trials come our way, but we must submit ourselves to God's will. And that generally means God will call us to give up certain areas of our lives in order that His Spirit may have more room to grow in us. To daily pick up our cross means to give more and more control to Christ, because we are instructed to

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthily natures: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

~Colossians 3:5~

God calls each of us individually to crucify our sinful nature. What that means to me could be completely different from what it means to you. We can take an example from David in what we must do in order to truly be freed from our sinful desires, to ask God to take them away, and to follow through with that prayer.

"Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."

~Psalm 19:12-13~

As Hebrews mentioned, we must cast aside what hinders and burdens us in order to run fully towards God. Yes, because of his love our sins are forgiven, but that does not mean that we are not burdened if we continue to sin. We will be able to achieve some spiritual growth, but ultimately the growth will come in much greater strides if we are able to become free of the sins that continue to bind us. The less sin we allow to have control in our lives, the more we will see the works of God. And it is through seeing God's works that we grow spiritually.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

~Matthew 5:8~

Just remember, if you listen for the voice of God, you will hear it. But that will easily slip away if you do not act upon it, and it is so easy to become stagnant in our faith if we do not follow through with personal commandments that come from God. Hold out hope, though, because if we put into action what God speaks to us, we will truly be made complete in him.

"But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him."

~1 John 2:5~