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LET US RUN PATIENTLY 29/05/11

LET US RUN PATIENTLY

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us. Heb 12:1

When we talk about running, some runs blindly without having any goal. We, as Christians, should run carefully and patiently. Let us lay aside every weight and sin that entangles us. Sin will pressurize us, but we should not run towards it. Pushing away the sin and looking upon Jesus, we need to run patiently in the path predestined.

We need to be very careful of the thing that stops us from looking onto Jesus. We need to just look on the lane set before us by Jesus. We are to push away the sins that surround us, keep ourselves holy and pure and then run the race. There are certain rules and regulations strictly to be followed for secular race i.e. checking out for drug addictions, opium usage, steroid usage etc. Likewise Christian race has got its own rules, to keep the sins and filthiness away from us while running. If not, the things we do might affect us and also the people around.

There was once an actor who went to a village for shooting. He went into a hotel for breakfast and instructed the server how to cook Dosa in a clean manner. He asked the man to heat the pan nicely, take a spoon of oil to apply, stir the flour properly, make a perfect shape of a Dosa on the pan, and cook properly. Since he is a big actor he wanted everything perfect and so instructed this way. But the server who heard this patiently, turned to the master and asked him, “how about adding a masala?” We should not be like that server hearing all things not doing accordingly but wanted to do unwanted things. There are certain things which should not be done in our lives which is against God’s will. If not, it will affect us and our surroundings.

1. Holy race will protect us. Jn5:14

After this Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “Look, you have become well. Don’t sin any more, lest anything worse happen to you.” John 5:14

When we sin again and again much worse thing will come and it will not only affect us but also others. Dr. Anbumani has ordered to put the picture of scorpion on the cigarette packets in order to show people that it will lead to cancer and ultimately kill them. Even in wine bottles, it is written drinking perishes the family and it will affect the body. Similarly when we do not push those sins away, it will affect us. In order to run a holy race, we need to examine ourselves and repent for our sins before that.

During our Israel journey, we met a mother who was very calm and meek at the beginning. But when she testified, we came to know that she had lots of sorrows in her life, but was laughing all the time to forget those sorrows. She was an area councilor previously and used to hit any person who comes in her way. A great trial came in her life after which she was completely changed. People may think they have strength and can do anything, but when we lose the game, it will affect us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to run a holy race pushing aside every sin. Please help me and give me grace to do so… Thank you Lord. Amen.

2. God-willing race will protect our family. Josh 7:20,21,25

Achan told Joshua, “It is true. I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel in this way: I saw among the goods we seized a nice robe from Babylon, two hundred silver pieces, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels. I wanted them, so I took them. They are hidden in the ground right in the middle of my tent with the silver underneath.” Joshua said, “Why have you brought disaster on us? The Lord will bring disaster on you today!” All Israel stoned him to death. (They also stoned and burned the others.) Jos7:20,21,25.

Achan told that he has sinned against the Lord God of Israel. It is common in the battle to plunder the spoil. But since they were warned not to take the plunder this was cursed by God. Achan coveted and took to himself a Babylonian robe. He admits himself later that he did not run a race according to God’s way. This sin was not forgiven even though he pleaded unto God and everything that belonged to him were destroyed (V 24). Even in our lives, we should not be like Achan going against God’s will as it will affect our lives, and also the lives of our family members.

Perhaps sisters might desire to buy sarees or latest items. Nothing wrong in buying provided there is no place for lust. Man’ greatest enemy is desire and when it goes beyond our financial level it is lust. When our race is according to God’s desire, our family will be blessed. People using Credit Cards may feel very happy in buying whatever they desire, but only when the bill comes they will blink.

We need to examine our lives and should find out the things which we do against the Lord or against His ministry. Our descendants will not be blessed because of this sin. They might have all spiritual experiences, but one hole is enough for a bag to leak out all blessings.

Prayer: Lord, Please show me if I have anything in my life against your will. I examine my life carefully now. Please help me step up to the next maturity level spiritually.

3. Diligent race will protect others. I Chr 13:9, 10

When they arrived at the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to take hold of the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him, because he reached out his hand and touched the ark. He died right there before God. 1Chr13:9,10.

Uzza had a good intent to protect the ark, but God killed him as Levites alone were allowed to touch or carry the ark of the Lord. And also the ark of the Lord should not be put on the vehicles but to be carried on shoulders. Levites did not follow the Lord’s instructions carefully and so innocent Uzza died because of that.

For all products, there will be owner’s manual for us to read before operating. Before getting into an airplane, we cannot ask the pilot if he has the certificate for piloting or the bus driver for license. It is their duty to drive carefully, since there are many others who trust and depend on them to reach safely. Once it was reported a flight accident where two flights collided in the mid air. Since the Pilots were Russians, they could not understand English commands and failed to control the flight.

We need to be careful in obeying the commands of the Lord. Bible is given to walk carefully and we need to have a diligent ears to hear to receive God’s blessings.

Pr. Stephen was a good athlete who had won many prizes. One of his friends advised him to blindfold his eyes so that he might not get distracted with the surrounding environment. He heeded to his friend’s words but failed ultimately because he went on a wrong track. That should not be our case. We need to run carefully amidst the distractions of the world and the worldly people since God will help us to do so.

Prayer: Lord, we face so many obstructions and difficulties in this present world but Your grace is sufficient for me to run carefully and attain the goal which is Your will.

4. A cautious race will protect everyone. I Chr21:1, 13, 17

An adversary opposed Israel, inciting David to count how many warriors Israel had. David said to Gad, “I am very upset! I prefer to be attacked by the Lord, for His mercy is very great; I do not want to be attacked by men!” David said to God, “Was I not the one who decided to number the army? I am the one who sinned and committed this awful deed! As for these sheep – what have they done? O Lord my God, attack me and my family, but remove the plague from your people!” 1Chr21:1,13,17

Satan stood up against Israel. David failed to discern the voice of satan and the voice of God and so it affected everyone. Especially people who were grown up in spirit should be cautious in discerning things by examining whether it is according to the Bible. There was once a translator in our church who failed to discern the voice of Satan in putting a small statue of Jesus on the door posts and kiss it whenever he goes out or come in. As a result, God could not bless him and his family. He was not cautious in this case. God will speak in our dreams, but it is not just the only way God speaks. If Lord speaks to you it should be according to the Bible and when we do things against it, there will be great devastation.

We need to drive very cautiously in India, as we drive a vehicle might come straight towards your car and hit. We need to be alert all the time the same applies in the spiritual life. Satan also will make us grow spiritually and push us down from great heights. So if the Lord says us to do something take it in prayer. Ask Him twice or thrice and confirm. Especially in marriage, we need to do according to the will of God.

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LET US RUN PATIENTLY 29/05/11