THE CLOUD OF WITNESS
THE CLOUD OF WITNESS
Hebrews 12:1-3
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 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction from sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
As Christians, we are living testimonies of the power and works Of God. We should bear in mind that we are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses” who are watching us closely. Some want proof of the power of God we talk about in our lives to convince them to give their lives to Christ. Others want something bad about Christians to condemn God and Christianity as a whole. What testimony are you giving to your cloud of witnesses? What testimony should you give them? We can find answers to these questions in Hebrews 12:1-3. We must do the following:
- Be conscious of the fact that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses (Mathew 5:14-16)
- We should lay aside every weight and sin.(James 1: 12-15)
- Run with patience the race set before us (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
- Look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Philippians 4:13)
- Be not weary or faint in the mind (Galatians 6:9-10)
BE CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE SURROUNDED BY A CLOUD OF WITNESSES
Mathew 5:14-6
Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The passage says we are the light of the world. That is people are looking up to us (Christians) to show them the way. We should not hide our light or the testimony we give with our lives. Our testimonies or light should be so good that other people will see and give glory to God our father.
WE SHOULD LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT AND SIN
JAMES 1: 12 – 15
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God. For God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The passage talks about temptation and how we should deal with it. It implies that we would be tempted at all times, but we should learn how to resist and endure it without giving in our yielding to the temptation. It also admonishes us not to blame God for our temptations. Our temptations arise out of our lust (passionate desire for something). Let us, therefore, be careful about what we read, see or watch especially on social media and movies.
RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE SET BEFORE US
I CORINTHIANS 9:24-27
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.
I therefore run, not as uncertainly, so fight I, not as one that beateth the air;
But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The apostle Paul in this passage compares our Christian lives to those running a race. Each athlete runs such that he/she would receive the crown which is corruptible (Perishable). However, Christians run to obtain an incorruptible crown, one that would last forever. Therefore let us put in all our effort; put our bodies under the necessary pressure in order that we would receive our eternal crowns.
LOOK TO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH
PHILIPPIANS 1:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
If Christ can strengthen us to do all things, then let us look up to Him, to win our race. We should not allow obstacles and challenges to keep us from running our race. We should maintain our focus on Jesus, without looking back at past failures or disappointments. Looking back, could weaken us and prevent us from running fast enough to receive our crowns.
BE NOT WEARY OR FAINT IN THE MIND
GALATIANS 6:9 – 10
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Running the Christian race involves being good to those around us. Some people do not show appreciation for the good done for them. This should not frustrate us. We must keep on being good as this would help us win more souls for Christ. This is one of our major responsibilities as Christians. Do not faint or grow weary just keep your focus on Christ and keep doing what you are expected to do and at the appointed time, God would reward you.
CONCLUSION
The youth of today should bear in mind that, once they profess (claim) to be Christians the world’s (cloud of witnesses) attention would be on them. Make God proud by living a good Christian life that would attract others to God and encourage them to follow the examples you give.
BY EVANGELINE UNITY ESAABA FOLSON
REFERENCES
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