~Darene Cole

Hebrews 12: 1-2a: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 

Hebrews 11, often referred to as the Hall of Faith, recounts the stories of imperfect men and women who chose to walk by faith despite their weaknesses, long seasons of waiting, and many hardships. Their lives remind us that faith is not about perfection but about trusting God and persevering through every season. Building on these examples, Hebrews 12 encourages us to run our own race with perseverance, drawing encouragement from those who have gone before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, our ultimate example.

However, the writer does not stop there. He urges us to “throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles”. As Christians, we understand that we are saved by grace, yet how easily can we become casual about sin, sometimes neglecting to seek God’s forgiveness because confession begins to feel repetitive? Our hearts must remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit, developing a habit of examining our hearts and confessing both the sins we recognise and those we may not even see.

The word entangles paints a picture of something that skillfully surrounds us. Sin can gradually take root when left unaddressed, often so quietly that we barely recognise its growing influence. This is why we must remain humble before the Lord, acknowledging our sinful nature and our constant need for His grace. Psalm 51 provides a beautiful example of a heart that genuinely desires repentance and cleansing.

But there is something else we must not overlook: the writer also tells us to lay aside every weight. These are not necessarily sinful things. They can be perfectly good things that gradually consume our attention and distract us from Christ. Jesus addresses this in the parable of the sower:

Matthew 13:22 “The worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

We must therefore be careful not only of the sins that entangle us but also of the seemingly harmless weights that slow us down. Let us continually examine our hearts and lives, ensuring that nothing takes the place of Christ or draws our attention away from Him.

Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Please cleanse my heart and help me remain sensitive to Your Holy Spirit. Teach me to recognise not only the sins that entangle me but also the things that hinder my walk with You. As I run the race marked out for me, help me keep my eyes fixed on You, never allowing sin, worldly concerns, or distractions to take my focus away from You. Amen!