Decisive Action: Key to Victory
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “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...” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Our day two at GrandCamp was a good morning with some rain in the afternoon. We played games, enjoyed an interactive Bible study with the children and a challenging presentation to Grandparents, while the children hiked and worked on a craft project.
The memory verse from yesterday was the second part of Hebrews 12:1 “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…” As I talked to grandson Caed about the statement we focused on the “H” and “E” so he could remember the order of the key verbs.
That which “hinders” in and of itself may not be a bad aspect of life. However, when it consumes and becomes a “weight” that distracts us from our spiritual journey it can be a hindrance in our Christian life. In the “Parable of the Soils” Jesus talks about the “cares of the world” that represent the weeds that grow up and choke the Word of God.
In the same way we need to be aware of the potential and real hindrances that have an impact on our Christian growth and ability to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” I demonstrated an “hindrance to Caed by talking about a heavy backpack or by grabbing him by the back of his T-Shirt and telling him to try to run.
Hebrews on the other hand tells us that sin is a snare. It is a trap. It is like the spiders web that lures and then ensnares its victim. Samson in his persistent disobedience learned that sin “blinds, binds and grinds.” For him that took place literally. Then I notice the words, “easily ensnares.”
We need to be on guard and to not feel immune from the deceptiveness of sin, or that which leads to the snare of sin. Paul cautioned, “…if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!“ (1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV)
Finally, the first words communicate a power truth. We must “throw off” hindrances and sin. Decisive action is required. It doesn’t “just happen.” It doesn’t happen by recognizing the hindrance or sin. It doesn’t happen by wanting to change or praying or by “thinking it away.” There are some good “pre-steps”; but we must take the deliberate and decisive action that is needed to address the specific area of concern. As we do, we can be confident of the Lord’s strength and provision.
Prayer for today…. Lord thank You that You not only give us the goal to shoot for in life, but the instructions on how to achieve that goal. Let us all seek to “win the prize” of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and to run the race before us with our eyes on You and taking the steps needed to address hindrances and sin that would distract and detour us in our spiritual journey.