EULESS, Texas (BP)–The New Year brings New Year’s resolutions to the forefront of our minds. We tell ourselves (and each other) that we will start on a new diet, start on a new workout regimen, lay off the sweets and accomplish various and sundry other resolutions in our lives. I wonder, however, if these decisions will really “transform” us into the best that we can be in 2002.
The Scriptures teach us that if we want to be the best that we can be, then we begin that process by living by faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 talks about living by faith. And these verses clearly state that living by faith will lead us to be the best that we can be; in fact, the Scriptures teach us that if we live by faith, we will be champions in life. So here are the questions for you and for me in these first days of 2002: Do we want to be better than we were last year? Do we want to live at a higher level than we did last year? If the answer to those questions is “yes,” then the Scriptures reveal to us that we must live by faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” These verses tell us how we can be the best this year by living a life of faith. And the Scriptures portray living by faith as a long marathon.
So to run the race of life by faith, we must first find the right kind of encouragement as we run — the kind of encouragement that leads us to live with our faith in God. That’s what Hebrews 11 is all about: God shows us that real encouragers are heroes who lived and died by faith. Who encourages us to live by faith in our lives? With whom do we surround ourselves? Do we surround ourselves with faithful followers of Jesus? Do these people encourage us to live by faith? If we want to be champions in life, the best that we can be, we must surround ourselves with encouragers in faith.
The second truth that we learn from Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us that if we want to be champions in life, we must get rid of excess baggage, get rid of unbelief, and get on with endurance. In other words, running the race of faith means you and me laying down sin and doubt and picking up faith in God. It means running with endurance even when it’s hard. Someone has noted: The Christian life calls for the discipline of an athlete, the endurance of a marathon runner and the determination of a champion. It is the race that if you will run and win, it will take every ounce, every fiber, every sinew, every muscle of your being to run well. This is the price of faith. This is the price of the best you in 2002.
Finally, Hebrews 12:1-2 teaches us that we must focus on Jesus in our race of faith. If we are to be champions in life this year, we must focus on Jesus, who is the “author and finisher” of our faith. There is no question that all of us want to be the best that we can be in 2002. But our New Year’s resolutions should begin by resolving to be more focused on living with our faith in Jesus. When we run the race of faith, we will find victory in life.
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For more of Dr. Thomas’ resources on worship, visit Lifepoints, at www.firstonthe.net.
