The Race

There is a clue in the preceding verse. "............that they without us should NOT be made perfect."
They [in 12;1] are cheering us on.[in our race.
Paul said 'ive finished my course'
The manifest sons of God.
ROM 8;19
for the earnest expectation of the creature,waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
It is likened unto Elisha following hard after Elijah.
There is something stopping all of us.
It is tragic.
Our shadows are not healing anyone and we dont raise the dead either.
Did you notice the creature waiteth?
So we have this cloud of witnesses cheering us on and we have the earth itself crying out" will you please, please, become like your name "christian"
There is a song "the biggest cause of atheism today is christians who honor Jesus with their lips but dishonor him with their lifestyles".

David

I just noticed i didnt answer any of your questions?
I think I need another cup of coffee.

David

Seems I remember that the blood of Abel cried out from the earth?
I dont know for sure.
Isn't there something about the trees clapping their hands?
It would be something, though ,if the rocks cry out louder than us?

David

Hi richardf,

I'm wondering if this is talking about the walk or fight of our faith? Am thinking also of the emphasis on the faith of those described in the chapter before.

What do you think?

I like to turn to the purpose of the book of Hebrews. The writer is encouraging the Hebrew believers to not apostate. He has seen some apostacy and wants to encourage the remnant to endure the hardships they are facing. The race is a marathon, ran in the face of discouragement, that ultimately leads to the prize.

The Hebrew readers were encouraged to run in the face of persecution, let us learn to run in the face of prosperity. They were tempted to turn away because of difficulty, we are tempted to turn away because of ease.

SDG,

Dave

Quote:

"""What is the race that the author describes here? What is the prize?

Is the race to get to heaven? Or is instead the race and the aim to be like Christ?

Is the race about heaven, or is it more about us being made perfect when we arrive in heaven?"""

The Prize is, "Christ in you the Hope of Glory."

The Race is to get the Spirit of Christ to come forth in us as Him, by the work of the Holy Spirit, that is now in us. Christ the finished work, the Holy Spirit the finisher of the race, that is now in us as is the Spirit of Christ.

This is the total race: Colossians 1:26-29 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

::::: Preach and teach every man warning him that presenting every man perfect is only in Christ Jesus: The race is labored for, strived for and is His working in us mightily.

Without Christ in us we are nothing and can do nothing. By the Christ in us we are to, that is: Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Our race is not earthly but heavenly. This is our only effort in the race: Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

The living sacrifice Himself that is in us is the only reasonable service the Father will accept, and this by the mercies of God. Ephesians 2:7-10 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We cannot boast in the race, the prize is the Gift of God, that is "the Christ in you the hope of Glory".

In Christ: Phillip