01/07/22 RUN THE RACE, PERSEVERE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

01/07/22 RUN THE RACE, PERSEVERE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

In Hebrews 12:1-4 God tells us to, "run with patience the race that is set before us" (vs, 1).
Verse two (12:2) goes on to tell us to resist temptation at all costs by referring to Jesus in the Garden.

Hebrews 12:2. (focus on each phrase, on which I have placed an asterisk )
"*Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; (W)ho *for the joy that was set before (H)im *endured the cross, *despising the shame, and *is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
There is no question that the Person referred to in this passage is Jesus, AND there is no question that Jesus fought the temptation to sin (that is; choosing the easy way out, deserting the cross).

Notice, the passage does not say that Jesus tried to escape the cross. On the contrary, Jesus fought the temptation to escape the cross, which was a TEMPTATION TO SIN.
Seeking to escape the cross would have been sin. JESUS NEVER SINNED.
So vigorously did He fight against temptation in the Garden that He shed blood, almost to the point of death. Jesus' prayer was heard by the Father to save Him from death in the Garden, and He was delivered from death in the Garden.
Hebrews 5:7
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared (godly fear);

Jesus experienced obedience in the face of trial, which was an essential quality to be Sacrifice, Priest, Savior.
Hebrews 5:8-10
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

The Father saved Jesus from death in the Garden, so that He could die on the cross, as was the Divine, eternal plan of the Father and the Son.

Hebrews 12 continues, by telling believers to think about Jesus as our model to persevere in striving against sin. This race is a long distance run and the temptation to quit is the temptation to sin.

Hebrews 12:3-4
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

We must lay aside the encumbrances of life and the besetting sin (the sin of present circumstances), which deter us from our race, from our run. Running this race is costly, but failing to run this race is eternally destructive. Don't let worldly affairs, Satanic intimidation and the temptation to quit, keep you from your race.
Hebrews 12:1
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Remember, though Jesus always did that which pleased the Father...
John 8:29
29 He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
... even with a history of submission and obedience, Jesus still had to experience, He had to suffer trials and temptations in order to become the perfect Sacrifice and Savior.
Hebrews 5:8
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Finally notice, Jesus became the Author of eternal salvation to all those who OBEY HIM.
Hebrews 5:9
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

As Christ continued in obedience, even in the Garden, so ought we to be obedient in everything. God did not save us because we were obedient; He saved us so that we could become obedient.
Obedience is remaining faithful in the face of trial.
Obedience is the act of faith; it is faith in action; it is the proof of faith.
We are saved by faith.
We are children of God by faith.
We are to continue in the faith.
We live by faith.
Faith is obedient.