Throw Off The Sin
…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12: 1b-3
I read this today in preparation for a Bible study at church and something stuck out to me in a way it never has before. Many Christians can rattle off at least most of these verses, and most of them know what is talked about previously. Tonight I’ve been hit by a brick.
I struggle with sin. Who doesn’t? That verse says it all – “sin that so easily entangles”. Have you ever let sin take a hold of you to the point that you don’t feel like you can adequately serve God? Maybe you don’t even sin like that anymore, but your guilt from past sins haunts you to the point where you’re nearly ineffective as a messenger of the Gospel. I’ve had moments where I felt like I had allowed sin to creep too far and that God shouldn’t even forgive me, though I know He does. I know at least one person who could probably be much more dynamic as a Christian if not for the grip of past sin.
May I use an ellipsis to make my point? “Throw Off…The Sin!” Throw it off! Get rid of it! The words may be out of context, but that’s exactly the point that God impressed on my heart tonight. I envisioned a guy about to run a race in layers of dark clothing, a backpack, ankle weights, a hat, just tons of stuff. One by one, he took each thing off. Threw off the backpack. Unstrapped the ankle weights. Let his coat fall to the ground. Removed the sweatpants and sweatshirt. Emptied his pockets of his wallet and loose change. Took his watch off. Took off the hat. Until there was nothing left but bright red shorts, a white tank top, and a race number.
I am currently training for a foot race at the end of March, so I paid a little more attention to these verses than before. My bi-daily runs last for about 40 minutes each, and I’m telling you by minute 30 I’m ready to be done. Running a race takes patience, endurance, and perseverance. Sometimes I tell myself “just put one foot in front of the other.” As long as I put one foot in front of the other, I’m making progress. Sometimes the putting is fast, and sometimes it’s slow. The slow times I use to rest so I can get ready to run fast again. At the end of my 40 minutes I’m fatigued and my legs are shaky, but I’m done. The run does have an end. Our Race has an end. Look at verse two again. It tells us to look “to Jesus…(who has already run and is sitting) at the right hand of the throne of God.” There is an end, and Jesus is there.
My charge is simple. Forget sins that have been forgiven, and get forgiveness for those that haven’t, and then forget them too. Toss your sins away (after all, God has), and don’t even look at them again. Just start running. And if you start to get tired, think about Jesus, who has already paved a trail for you.
-j
Mac? No, Lou.
If you don’t know anything about computers or Abbott and Costello, this post is completely lost on you. But because it’s funny to me, I’m hoping someone else will find it funny. This is what the “Who’s On First” skit (video) might have sounded like if it was performed today…
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks. I’m setting up an office in my den and I’m thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name’s Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO: I don’t own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name’s Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don’t know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals and track expenses. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO: You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let’s just say I’m sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue “W”.
COSTELLO: I’m going to click your blue “w” if you don’t start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That’s right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What’s bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT: One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn’t it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!
(A few days later)
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on “START”…………
Lewis is Brilliant
I have never been into Clive Staples Lewis’ writings, but with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe film coming out soon, I wanted to get the books read before I watched the movie. I’m nearly at the end of The Magician’s Nephew, and I came across a quote that I find just outstanding.
“The fruit always works – it must work – but it does not work happily for any who pluck it at their own will.” – Aslan
Now, anyone knows that Lewis used a ton of Christian imagery in his books, especially the Chronicles. I believe Aslan is obviously an allegory for Jesus Christ, Narnia is either Heaven or a New Earth (or the Garden of Eden – Aslan calls humans sons of Adam or daughters of Eve, for crying out loud), and the creation of Narnia was a wonderful allegory for the Creation of the world (which also greatly resembles Tolkein’s story of creation in his Silmarillion). But the nuances in the books are so subtle, yet so distinct. The quote above is one example. The fruit referenced is an apple-type fruit that would give youth and healing to the one who eats it. This fruit was good – it was created by Aslan himself. But there were warnings with the fruit, warnings that if used in the wrong way, the fruit would produce very bad things. It would give the eater what they wanted, but with it would come eternal despair. How can something created for good have a potential for evil? It all depends on what we do with it.
I was immediately reminded of following God’s will. Have you ever felt that God was showing you a glimpse into His plan for your life, but was telling you clearly that now is not the time to carry out that piece of the plan? He has often given this to me, because I ask for it, and then tells me “But you must be patient.” There is much truth in what Aslan said above. When we run ahead of God, even if it’s in His plan, it suddenly becomes *our* plan, and not *His* plan. I’m also reminded of the phrase “the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing”. Well, apparently C.S. Lewis felt the same way.
Let’s be excited to know God’s plan for our lives, but let’s also be cautious to listen to His word and wait on His timing. Let Him right your story, and you know it will be the greatest story ever told.
-j