"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 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 is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God." I have read the 1st and 2d verses of the
12th chapter of Hebrews....Here in this wonderful 12th chapter of Hebrews, God
calls the roll of the champions. The champions are at the race.
There is a big crowd of them, a great throng......After God names the champions
He say, "Now, you are in the race." Remember you have to be a
Christian to get in the race, but if you are already a Christian you are in the
race. And listen! Jesus is your Manager...He has arranged for the
race. He has mapped out the course for you. He has fixed the race
track for you. He has put you on it. He has told you about the
champions that have won before. You have a great crowd of witnesses
here. But these witness can't do anything for you except to encourage
you. All they can do is to tell you it can be done....Boys and girls,
don't play to the grandstand. Look to Jesus. Jesus is the only one
who can help you. All the saints who have gone on before can only
encourage you....God says you are compassed about by a great cloud of
witnesses, but they can't win for you...you must put your eyes on Jesus in the
race.
....Then He says,
"I want you to win this race, and I will tell you how to do it.
There are three things you must do: First, Look to Jesus. That is
essential! Put your eyes on Him! Second, Lay aside every weight and the
sin which doth so easily beset you. Third, Run the race with
patience." "Lay aside the weight." I don't know
whether I am right about this. It may not be taught here, but it is true
anyway. A great many people carry weights that are not actual sins.
Some people carry the weight of ignorance. There is nothing that weighs a
person down more than ignorance. It is not a sin to be ignorant.
But it is a sin to stay ignorant...Suppose I should run down the street in this
town with a jug of whiskey in one hand and a grindstone under the other
arm. Suppose I say to myself, "Now, I ought not to have this jug of
whiskey. It is a sin to carry this jug of liquor. It is wrong .
I am going to throw it down." I throw the jug of liquor down.
But I have the grindstone. I say, "I will carry the grindstone;
there is nothing wrong with that." The jug of liquor is a sin.
The grindstone is a fault. I drop the sin - that is a good
thing. But sometimes a fault will hold one down almost as bad as a
sin......A great many people delight themselves in their faults. A girl
said to me one time, "Everybody thinks I am angry when I am not
angry." Well, listen young lady, if that is so, then it is just the
same as far as effect is concerned as if you were angry. It may not be
exactly the same as far as your character is concerned, but it is just the same
in its effect and influence......If you have a style about you that hurts your
testimony, get rid of it. It is wrong to keep it.
Bob Jones Sr.
