Hebrews 12:1-2 - Run with Endurance

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge cloud of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." 

(Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.
     I found an interesting connection between something that happened to me and the Bible, and I thought I'd share it with you. Today I got a parking ticket for being in a spot (for months) without a pass. I was really annoyed about it, but then I realized that I didn't have the right to be upset. I knew I wasn't supposed to park there, but I did it anyway because it was convenient and easier than my other options. I tend to think that I can get away with things; I don't think about the fact that there are consequences for my actions. 
     This got me thinking: am I like this when it comes to my faith? Am I breaking commandments because it's convenient and easy without realizing there are consequences for my sin? Do I think that, like the parking ticket, just because I'm not getting in trouble for something now means that there won't be a punishment?
     I'm worried that the answer to these questions might be yes. This brings me back to one of my earliest questions: does my continual sin and defiance mean that I am not saved? If I am not being punished for my sin right now, does that mean I will face consequences later when I die, or just having something bad happen to me? If this is something I'm continually worried about, does that mean I may not be on good terms with God? Does that mean that I am not saved?

Dear friend,

     NO. This does not mean that your salvation is in question.

1. The Holy Spirit is living and active in you. (John 14)
2. Your conscience was pricked when confronted with sin, and you accepted the blame and the consequences (how many teens, or people of any age, do that?) Yes, you were upset initially, but you heard the voice of the Spirit, and you responded. At this point you had a choice: confess, repent (remember, repentance is running in the other direction), and move on, or become angry and refuse to deal with it. I am assuming that you chose the first option? Psalm 51 is a great prayer of repentance; as you read it, can you see David's sorrow over his sin?
3. You are a child of God, and you are in a relationship with your loving Father, cleansed by the blood of the Son, and sealed as His by the Holy Spirit. Your relationship is not based on good deeds/bad deeds, and there isn't a "pay now or pay later" plan for your sins. Sin is wrong, and the Holy Spirit will continue to work in you to make you more like Him. You will not necessarily receive punishment for every single sin you commit. Remember that they have all been paid for, washed away by the blood of Jesus. There is no scoreboard. (Hebrews 12:1-11)
4. I've never been comfortable with the two "options" for salvation that believers seem to fall into: "once saved, always saved" (if someone walks away from their faith, they must not have ever been saved) or "you can lose your salvation" (if someone falls into sin too many times, they are no longer qualified for salvation). This second option seems to me like a heartless business transaction, making men and women subject to the fine print in a contract designed to make us fail. Our salvation is SONSHIP--we are ushered into the kingdom as precious children. We enter into a relationship with the One who made us, redeemed us, and loves us. We grow in that relationship, learning about our Heavenly Father, and as we learn more, we love Him more. As we love Him more, we seek to be more like Him. The more we become like Him, the more we love Him. If someone, long or short into the relationship, says, "I don't want to be like Him, I want to be ME," and begins to distance himself from God, God will continue to call and invite the person back. The person can always come back, whether he strays for 50 minutes or 50 years. God is the reconciler/restorer of relationships. (Genesis 3, Luke 23:39-43)
5. Some people don't come back. They want their own way more. (Hebrews 3)

     You have entered into a lifetime, life-changing relationship, and you are going to grow and grow. Ask the Lord to help you learn to hear His voice, to keep your heart tender toward Him, to love Him with all your heart, and to become like Him.

     This is a very incomplete and imperfect answer, but it is a start. We'll continue to delve into this. Keep asking and seeking. Here are some questions for you to consider.

• What drew you to Christ?
• What does it mean to have a relationship with God?
• How should we respond when we are confronted by our sin?
• How do you know if you love God?

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge cloud of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." 

(Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT)

Heavenly Father, my friend has genuine sorrow and concern. She sees how easy it is to ingore Your voice and to go her own way. Though we have committed to follow You, we see our weakness and our stubbornness, and we are overcome with grief and guilt. Will You fill us? Will You strengthen us? Will You transform us? Will You keep us in Your care until we arrive in heaven with You, where sin will never compromise us again? Will You teach us to love You and to walk in Your ways?

Let us strive not to let our hearts be hardened toward God!