Athletes who aspire to compete in events like the World Cup or the Olympics must first pass rigorous endurance tests to qualify. Similarly, in our spiritual journey with Christ, we must develop the endurance to overcome challenges. By replacing unfaithfulness with unwavering faith, we can face life’s struggles and climb the mountains of difficulty. With perseverance and trust in God, we can endure the trials of this world and remain steadfast in our walk with Him.
Hebrews 12:1 '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, ‘
Endurance learning from Witness
What is this Witness?
The “great cloud of witnesses” mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 refers to the heroes of faith introduced in Hebrews 11. These hero’s of God, celebrated for their unwavering trust in God, serve not as spectators watching our journey but as powerful examples, testifying to God’s faithfulness and ability to see His people through life’s challenges.
God bore witness to their faithfulness during their lives, and now, through Scripture, they bear witness to us. As Hebrews 11:2, 4-5, 39 highlights, their faith earned them commendation from God:
Hebrews 11:2,4-5,39 'This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, ‘
By faith, Abel offered a pleasing sacrifice and, though dead, still speaks through his example.
By faith, Enoch walked so closely with God that he was taken without experiencing death.
These heroes trusted in God’s promises, even when they had not yet seen them fulfilled.
The stories of these Old Testament hero’s were written for our learning and encouragement, as it states Romans 15:4 'For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. ‘
One of the best ways to cultivate endurance and encouragement is to study the lives of these godly men and women who ran their race with faith and finished well.
If you’re facing family problems, look to the life of Joseph.
If your struggles feel overwhelming, read about Job and Moses.
If you’re tempted to retaliate, study how David handled such situations with wisdom and grace.
These witnesses show us that enduring faith is possible and that God’s promises never fail, encouraging us to press on in our spiritual race.
Endurance by Letting Go: A Look Within
Hebrews 12:1 (b) “.. 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, ‘
Athletes often train with weights to build strength, but no athlete would compete while wearing them—they would only slow them down.
Carrying unnecessary weight taxes endurance and diminishes performance.
What are the weights we need to remove?
Bible instructs us to “throw off everything that hinders.” These hindrances may not always be outright sinful—they could even be perceived as “good things” by others. However, a winning athlete doesn’t settle for merely good; they choose the better and the best to maximize their potential.
What about sin?
We are also called to rid ourselves of “the sin that so easily entangles.”
While the writer of Hebrews doesn’t specify which sin, it likely refers to the sin of unbelief as the prior chapter talks on Faith and Faith is a heart of walking with Christ.
Unbelief was the very thing that kept the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, and it remains a significant obstacle in our journey to fully embracing the spiritual inheritance available in Christ.
To endure in faith, we must examine our lives, identify the weights and sins that hold us back, and let them go, trusting God to strengthen us for the race ahead.
Look to Jesus : The pioneer of Endurance
Hebrews 12:2 '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. '
When we cast off sins like unbelief and begin to run our spiritual race, perseverance becomes essential:
James 1:12 'Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. '
Revelation 14:12 'This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. '
Perseverance and faith are two horses to Spiritual maturity.
Perseverance is fuelled by our hope in Christ, trusting in what we cannot yet see but believe Jesus will accomplish for you.
Faith enables us to seek and inherit what Christ achieved for us in the cross. As children of God, we are co-heirs with Christ, inheriting His victory.
Perseverance is won thru faith.
Looking to Jesus as the Perfect Example
Jesus is described as the “author and the pioneer and perfecter of faith,” both the model and the enabler of endurance.
Perseverance is strengthened not by focusing on our challenges but by “fixing our eyes on Jesus”—seeking His Word, counsel, peace, and comfort through prayer.
Our Lord did not use his divine powers for his own personal needs. When Satan tempted him to do this (Matt 4:1-4) but Jesus refused, Instead, Jesus set His eyes on the eternal joy before Him, enduring the cross and its shame. This mirrors David’s confidence in Psalms 16:8-11, where he declares, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
What Jesus Teaches Us About Endurance
His Works:
Jesus endured the shame of the cross for the joy of bringing salvation.
He is now seated at the right hand of God, giving us access to His power and authority (Revelation 1:16, Revelation 19:1, 4)
Revelation 1:16 'In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. '
Revelation 19:1,4 'After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” '
His Testimony
Through patient endurance and suffering, Jesus inherited the throne. This was revealed to John on the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation - Revelation 1:9 'I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.’
John, though advanced in age (95), described himself as a “companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus,” showing humility and obedience to Jesus’ command that all believers are brothers and servants (Matthew 23:8-11). Matthew 23:8-11 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. '
Christ is both the exemplar (ultimate example) and the enabler (source of our strength).
Lessons for Us
God often allows His faithful servants to endure trials to manifest their faith and glorify His name before both men and spiritual forces.
Endurance comes not from avoiding tribulations but by embracing them with faith, trusting that they will result in greater glory for God and deeper spiritual growth for us.
Let us follow Jesus’ example, fixing our eyes on Him and drawing strength from His Word, Spirit, and victory on the cross, to run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Amen