Hebrews 12: 1-3
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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In the Greek games the runners would run au naturale, in the nude. They did this so that nothing would slow them down. Paul is saying, get rid of the unnecessary, get rid of those things that hold you back, slow you down, hinder your race. God has given each of us a place in life to accomplish His mission, lets run for it. By the way, he says the great cloud of witnesses are there cheering us on.
Hebrews 13
Angels…
Ever wonder if angels are more than characters in white robes floating around on clouds. Wonder no more, there is so much information in the Bible about Angels and this is just a beginning. Angels have the ability according to Paul to present themselves a human beings. We are warned to be kind to everyone, we never know when we may be talking with an angel. however, do not mistake this for believing that when believers die they become angels, there is no truth to that belief.
Hebrews 13:9
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.
It is so important, no it is of utmost importance that we check to see that what we have been taught is what God has said. So many people in this world have been led astray but preachers who are teaching for their personal financial gain and some have been led away by well meaning people who have just been flat out wrong in their understanding of the Bible. Don’t be one of these people.
Hebrews 13:17
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
The people of Out Of The Box make this passage of scripture come alive. It is a JOY to serve you and you are never a burden to heavy to carry.
Galatians
Paul is addressing the Church At Galatia, it appears the church had started to listen to teachers who were teaching something other than what Paul had taught them. He was pretty upset, you could say he was angry. When God calls leaders to shepherd his people, those leaders carry the burden of protecting their people. I understand how Paul felt.
Galatians 2:21b
if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Just a reminder that we do not live by the law, we live by grace.
Galatians 3
Paul jumps in feet first to tell the people that following the law will not save anyone. As a matter of fact, the law wasn’t given to save anyone in the first place. In this world we hear about grace but it seems too good to be true but it is true. We tend as Christians to judge people when we get focused on the law. You and I are not the judge, only God can determine the thoughts and intents of the human heart.
A lot of Christians including myself cringe when it comes to teaching grace because we are afraid that people will take a flippant attitude toward sin and say if it’s all grace we can live any way that we want to. Even in my fear that people will do that and I have actually witnessed people doing just that, we have to teach Gods truth and not ours.
Galatians 3:26-29
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ronnie
