Several years ago, I made a similar journey where I lost over 50 pounds over the course of a year. Since then, it has been an ongoing battle to keep the weight off and stay in shape.
As I reflected on these two journeys, I was drawn to a scripture and as I read, I reconsidered how I have always understood, and even taught, this passage from Hebrews 12:
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. 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I have usually thought of this throwing off as a singular action. Today, I will throw off my sin and follow Jesus. But as I reflect on this passage, I am more and more conviced that this throwing off is a lifetime event.
The author of Hebrews continues this passage with words that seem to support this idea...
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Hebrews 12:1-13 NIV)
When we decide to follow Jesus, our struggles don't instantly go away. Yes, I have heard of individuals who have experienced a supernatural removal of addictions and other sinful habits. But those are the exception rather than the rule.
For most of us, and even those rare exceptions, this battle against sin will never end this side of the grave. It will require that discipline described above.
Even though I lost over 50 pounds, every day I face decisions and temptations that could result in gaining back that weight. And in the four years since my weight loss, there have been a few times when I have gained back 5, 10, and even 20 pounds.
Whether we're talking about weight loss or a variety of other addictions and struggles, most people are one binge away from falling back into their old habits. Yes, it usually gets easier as time goes on and new habits become more deeply entrenched, but the danger is always present.
Our walk with Christ is much the same. While we make an initial decision to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, we will spend the rest of our lives continuing to throw off those things.
Following Jesus doesn't remove temptation and struggle, it provides a new direction, a new path to follow. But even along that new path, voices will call us to wander and speedbumps may trip us up. But when we focus on Christ and follow the way that he has placed before us, and when we are open to accepting the discipline that God provides, we will find healing that can only be found in the victor's circle surrounding the throne of God.
shine!
Jason
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