Standing Around
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 NASB
Easily entangles – When I was a child, this verse frightened me. I imagined my grandfather in heaven, looking down on all my sins. I felt the embarrassment, the humiliation of knowing that he saw my worst behavior. It was bad enough that God knew, but God always knows so there is no pretending with Him. But my godly grandfather didn’t know my most shameful acts, until he died and went to heaven. Then he saw everything, I thought. For a long time this imagery confronted me when I read the verse in Hebrews. It was debilitating to say the least. There was no hope for me now that someone else knew how awful I really was. Perhaps that’s how you read this verse. That “sin which so easily besets us” must be some particular sinful act, personally condemning you to a life of endless shame. Perhaps you read this verse and suddenly something comes to mind, something unique (you think) to your spiritual demise. Perhaps we both need to re-examine this statement in order to realize that it might not be the baton of the policeman in the sky.
The idea of laying aside encumbrances and the entangling sin is preceded by a crucial word, “therefore.” The heroes and heroines of the faith are the great cloud of witnesses. The author names quite a few. Because of the witness of their lives, we are to follow this exhortation. Because they had faith, “therefore” we are to run with endurance. But what is common to these faithful ones? Why should they cause us to endure to the end?
Read the list again. Notice that it does not begin with Abel. It begins with the statement that God brought the world into being from things invisible (11:3). He created with His word, not from what was already present. Such is the nature of the faith of these examples. They acted on the basis of God’s word. They demonstrated trust when there was nothing visible to provide evidence. The repeated phrase “by faith” introduces not a creed or doctrinal declaration but rather action based solely on what God said. Words converted into deeds. “By faith” is a shorthand way of saying, “I will hear and I will do.”
What, then, is the sin that so easily entangles? Is it not distrust of the Creator? Is it not acting as though what God says is not true? The rabbis would call this idolatry, that is, the belief that God is not the one true sovereign God of all creation. Idolatry is not merely bowing down before some figure made with human hands. Idolatry is a way of life; a way of life that rejects or ignores what God says. Idolatry does not require a physical symbol of a false god. It only requires that we act as if what God said does not matter to us. Faith is trusting that what He says is true. Idolatry is claiming that it is not true, no longer true or irrelevant. If you apply this verse personally, the sin that so easily entangles might be some specific addictive pattern you fight. But the author has a wider picture in mind. What entangles us is the failure to act on God’s word. What entangles us in the subtlety of idolatry. Euperstaton—the combination of “good,” “around” and “to stand.” What entangles is whatever hangs around that we think is good for us but is not what God says is good. It is the tree in our own garden, the power to choose otherwise, the capacity to pretend that God’s word isn’t good for me.
Topical Index: euperstaton, entangles, faith, trust, Hebrew 12:1, Hebrews 11:3
“the capacity to pretend that God’s word isn’t good for me.” Man do you know how to bust my bubble early in the morning.
The Right Choice, The Best Choice
That “sin which so easily besets us” may also be (simply) an “attitude.”
There are outward sins, (we are familiar with these), but our “acts” too often have their beginnings with “only(?)” an attitude. THINK before you act. Oh? What a novel concept! – or is it? Plan your work, then work your plan? – That IS the way things (good or bad) get done.
Sin has an age-old “formula,” one that is tried and true and for the uninitiated, works every time. It is satan’s LSD: Lust, Sin and Death.
What comes first? – the Chicken or the Egg? Lust tops the list, for sin IS first- “internal” before going external. Yes, the “thought” IS the father of the deed.
Friends, I refuse to rob a bank, (or any other evil endeavor) before I first “think about it.” – And the plot thickens..
The mind matters. Evil deeds begin in evil hearts. “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,” is not only commanded, – it is crucial to our moment-by-moment, “success.” But how is this (even) possible?
The scriptures, the word of God, proclaim to every man: “Let no man say when he is tempted (and yes, we ALL will be tempted!), “I am tempted of God!”
“for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one!”
But each [and every] one [of us] is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust and enticed!!! (James 1.13,14)
Get it? Got it? Good.
It (sin) starts on the inside! – David SAW Bathsheba bathing and said to himself, “SELF!” – how would you (master and commander of all Israel) like to meet and greet this young lady? He did have a choice, He did have a say in this malicious matter, and he did make the deadly decision – and “the dirty deed was done.” And for those unfamiliar with this sordid story, not only “adultery” (“you shall not commit adultery” is the command of YHWH), but “murder” (intentional first degree, plotted and planned murder of Bathsheba’s husband) as well. See the widespread carnage done here? (not to mention the damage done to the king’s reputation!)
If I, or any other man, will choose to sin (and sin IS a choice!) “damage” (read widespread carnage) will occur also.
But I have, (you have) we ALL have been given a glorious gift from our (always good) ABBA-Father. It is the gift of choice!! It is the gift of “free-will!”
So much to say concerning “choice!” Today, -this very day, may I or any other man, willingly-knowingly choose the Best, the Highest, the Brightest, the Fairest. May we choose to obey Him? THIS IS the absolute best choice ever!!
In the words of God, found within the Book of God, written for any man to see (and to obey!)
[Simply] CHOOSE you* THIS DAY, “who” you will serve!!
And may our glad response ever be, (from this day forward and forevermore!)
“As for me and my house? – We will serve the LORD.”
Why?
Because, ~ His servants you are who you choose to obey! ~ (Romans 6.16)
Friend, what father among us does not delight in obedient children?
No kidding. How many times are we hearing daily now that God’s word is not important? Even more than that is an outright denial of who He is. The first time someone said to me that the Bible is just a bunch of fairy tales left me speechless. (that my friends is no easy task!!) It was said with such disdain too.
So sad that so many would chose to turn their backs on the one thing that matters. Faith in the one true God-Y-H. How many even know His name?
Honestly, my bubble gets popped all the time cause self (yetzer hara) is a persistent beast who would rule my life if I allowed it too! It is good to stop and remind myself whom I serve and to demonstrate my faith by trusting in Him. Peace can then return.
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God no matter the conflict.
“Peace is not the absence of conflict but he presence of God no matter the conflict.” Simply and wisely put, Dawn. Thank you.
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God no matter the conflict. A profound statement. Thanks Dawn. I have appropriated it and committed it to memory. I know it works, but just never verbalized it so simply.
Hi John,
It was profound to me when I read it as well and will always be something I preach to myself (and others) till the day I cease to exist.
A friend of mine had it as a quote on his emails so I cannot claim to be the author but I can claim that it is truth and have proven it to myself over and over.
I wonder sometimes about those people who suffer at the hands of unspeakable evil and have their heads hacked off. If they know Y-H, do they have this peace when faced with this horror? Would Messach and his friends have had that peace as they were tossed into the fire? I have to believe that they did and do because Y-H IS who He says He is.
I think I (we) get pretty upset about some small things in life and forfeit our peace to the chaos that is so present. What would we do when faced with obvious evil and possibly a painful death at human hands?
How many times does God tell us, “do not fear?” We can believe that and simply trust Him with the outcomes. As people who truly love Him, our destiny is sure.
One more small thing…..I enjoy Sci-Fi books and have read the Dune series a few times. There is a statement made about fear that has stuck with me for years as well. It is this…”fear is the mind killer.” Fear can indeed hinder any rational thought process you possess. Fear can be controlled although it is one of those things that is easier said than done but it IS possible. 🙂
Maybe instead of trying to “control” fear, we need to acknowledge that we are loved as we are, and therefore fear has no grounds to attack me. I might not be able to “control” it, but I can certainly neuter it.
Right on!! You certainly have a way with words Skip!!
When i learned deliverance, the first thing i was taught to address was the spirit of fear, that comes in thousands of guises. It was a lesson that served me well.
Never try to live w/something that you don’t have to. That’s my motto.
Years ago, during my first marriage, my wife, being dissatisfied (to say the least) with my choice of faith/lifestyle, threatened me and let me know my life was in peril. I was not afraid, thanks be to God. I moved upstairs to sleep. Downstairs was the woman capable of taking my life. Exasperated, she asked me, “How can you sleep?!” I said simply, “I’m tired.”