Hebrews 12:1 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 hinders our progress (so easily entangles us). And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
In February many of us watched tuned our televisions in to watch the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. There was much anticipation we watched some our favorite events. There were some Olympians who had high hopes of winning the much sought after gold medal in their event. In the ice skating arena, there were performers who fell as they were going into a spin, but got right back up and finished with the crowds cheering in the stands. Why did the fans cheer for them? Because they didn't give up. They continued as if nothing happened.
As I was thinking about this verse of scripture I couldn't help thinking of how silly it would look for an Olympic runner step up to the line wearing heavy clothing and carrying a bag on his shoulders. Every piece of clothing adds weight and effects the speed of each stride.
What is the weight or the besetting sin that so easily entangles you? You cannot run the race of life carrying extra baggage and holding onto sins that constantly bring you down. Is lust a problem for you? If so, what are some ways of stripping off this weight? If it entraps and entangles you easily, it must mean that it doesn't take much for you to become ensnared. Satan doesn't have to do much work because you are your worst enemy. Maybe its something that when life doesn't go your way, you turn to this besetting sin as a way of dealing with your problems. You will be ineffective for Christ if you do not deal with this sin. This passage goes on to say that you have not strived against this sin to the point of shedding blood. I don't necessarily think that the writer is saying that you must cut yourself or do harm to yourself over this sin, but it must be dealt with, and the question is do you really want to be rid of this sin in your life. Before you repent of something that you have done wrong, you must first evaluate whether this is something you are ready to let go of. Because if you intend to confess and repent of a sin, but then you are only doing this out of guilt but not out of fear of who God is and the power of the cross, then you are ready to confess it. I John 1:9 says If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If there is no remorse and disgust for the sin that so easily entangles us then is the confession of the sin really meaningful. Let's say for instance you are an alcoholic. If we confess our sins - Lord I am an alcoholic and I have a weakness in this area. I want to be free from the addiction to this poison. It has been a burden to me for many years and has hindered my relationship with you. In my weakness I know that you are strong and are ready to forgive and restore my relationship with you. Please give me the strength just for today, just for this moment even to not be tempted and not give in to alcohol. Now consider this same individual confessing his addiction to alcohol. Lord I am an alcoholic, and I know my weakness to alcohol, I also know that when I am tempted I will probably give in to drink again because I do not have the willpower to quit. I want to quit but I still like the taste of it. I confess this to you but I want to continue drinking. I don't want to give this lifestyle up, but I want to have a blessed life and be free from this sin.
Now obviously, there is a difference in the confessions. One is truly repentant and ready to surrender to his besetting sin. The other is not ready to surrender to Christ. He still wants to drink. So is the second confession complete or incomplete. If you are not ready to surrender or if you intend on committing the same sin over, then you are not really confessing your sins, you are just going through the motions.
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