Nougat 27

What motivates us to shun temptation? Is it worldly opinion or God’s? Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to think about this seriously.

“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 trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1 NLT

Although the crowd seeks to encourage us, let’s be mindful of Who’s in control; of Who we need to impress. With God as our Sovereign, our allegiance is to God; none other. And anything that presents itself as such – whether in our minds or actuality – is temptation.

So that becomes a possible weight for us to lay aside – others’ opinions. We all wish to have positive impact on others; but not to the detriment of our salvation. While walking with weights is good for physical fitness routines; they impede our spiritual fitness. For spiritual weights are not only temptations, but also include unconfessed sins and of course, old grudges. Those are the sins that trip us up from time to time. And for our spiritual journey; that can represent a major setback. Are there other weights that we might need to discard?

I love that setting aside the weights also equals removing temptation from around us. For it’s those that become fodder for the enemy of our souls to taunt us with. (Remember the enemy of our souls is also the accuser of God’s chosen). What is also encouraging is the instruction: run, with endurance, that race set before us. That suggests that there’s hope for us to succeed.

Some quick considerations

• With endurance: this relates to us facing head on (ie ‘remaining under’ as per the transliteration) whatever obstacles or temptations lay before us on our journey.

• The race set before us: we might wish to know Who designed our race. Because every race; especially one with obstacles, has someone who lays out the track. Even hurdles rely on someone to place the hurdles evenly apart and at particular heights so the athletes can surmount them. God’s infinite wisdom may permit hurdles; but only so many AND only surmountable ones. If you’re as athletic as I am, then hurdles would seem totally insurmountable. We have the Secret Weapon; Jesus is not only our Coach; He’s right beside us ALL the way.

So, our takeaways

Temptations are not Given by God, but are permitted

We all face temptations, albeit different ones

There’s always a way out past the temptations

By God’s grace we will overcome

Thus we run with endurance; knowing Jesus is with us always

With that in mind; I’d rather run for Jesus than the crowd that’s cheering me on. How about you?

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May all we seek be found in Christ