…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…

Hebrews 12:1b-2a

Worship, confession, repentance, and forgiveness are all ways in which we can experience the restorative power of God in our lives. Our original restoration comes when we are saved, redeemed, and given a place in the kingdom of God, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t need God to continually restore us as we live out our walk with Him in this earthly life. That’s why this last of the five (5) restorative activities is so vital. As born again believers, in this life, we are going to need to exercise perseverance. 

We see it emphasized and elevated as something of great importance in so many areas of life; business, sports, and just about anything in which we want to see success or in which we desire to excel. So why would we think that our spiritual lives are any different? Perseverance, when added to the other restorative activities that we have seen, will bring about the desired result for which we are looking. So let’s take a closer look at what spiritual perseverance looks like and how it assists us in living the life that God has designed for us to experience. 

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have to deal with the things that get in the way of our growing, living, and thriving in the power of the Spirit of God. And just what are these things that get in the way? Hebrews tells us that they are “every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.” Encumbrances and sin are the culprits in blocking our enjoying the power of God within us. Encumbrances are things, people, and situations that act as spiritual “fire extinguishers” against the fire of the Spirit that should be burning in the hearts and lives of all believers in Christ. These things are ever present because we live in a depraved, fallen, and lost world. Philosophies, lifestyles, and attitudes that are contrary to the Word of God will always serve to confuse, distort, and mock what is the truth. But for us, as believers, we are to make sure that encumbrances do not win the day. Jesus even talked about these encumbrances in the parable of the sower:

The seed that fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

  Luke 8:14 

Just like thorns choke out a healthy plant, so, life’s encumbrances can choke the spiritual life out of a person to the point that they “bring no fruit to maturity.” That simply means that they are not productive for the kingdom of God and, in some cases, may have a lifestyle that isn’t remotely close to that of a born again believer in Jesus. So what does Jesus mention specifically as encumbrances to spiritual growth and maturity? Worries, riches, and pleasures of this life act as obstacles to our receiving and living in God’s best. This goes right along with the Hebrews passage that mentions both encumbrances and sin as spiritual obstacles. And sin is described as something that can “so easily entangle us.” So, what are we to do with these encumbrances and this sin that seeks to entangle us? We are to “lay it aside.” To lay something aside means that we are moving it out of the way. These obstacles cease to become or remain a problem because we are willing to pay close attention and deal with them as we encounter such. 

So, beyond our moving aside the things that cause us spiritual trouble is the “running of our race.” Just like a distance runners train, plan, and pace themselves during the race to ensure that they make it to the finish line so too are we as Christians to be living our lives. We are to be running our race, meaning that we are living our lives for Christ. And we are to be running (living) with endurance and perseverance. We are determined. We don’t let the past hinder us. We don’t allow failure to detour us. And we don’t fall into philosophies that only seek to slow us down or hinder us. But we keep our eyes focused on Jesus. With the cross before us and the world behind us, we pursue a life that is superior and uncommon. As the masses move ever toward destruction because of their rejection of the gospel, we are moving toward eternal life and the blessings and rewards that come to those who serve the living God. 

Paul also talks of the promise of perseverance:  

…we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

    Romans 5:3b-5

None of us like the idea of tribulations but when we live our lives for Christ, they will come from those living alternative, ungodly, and unbelieving lifestyles. We can see more about this in the following two (2) passages (John 15:18-19, 1 Peter 4:3-4). But with perseverance comes proven character and with that proven character comes hope. We know that we belong to Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit because He continues to fill us with the power to continue living godly lives in an ungodly world (Ephesians 1:19, 3:16). 

So, perseverance, when added to the other restorative activities of God in our lives, can bring about lives that are truly joyful, productive, and fulfilling. If we are in need of restoration, we need to make sure that we have, first, surrendered our lives to Jesus and have been saved, redeemed, and born again. Then, as Christians, we should make worship, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and perseverance a regular part of our lives. Restoration is available to anyone who is willing to lay their life at the foot of the cross and receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ!

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 3:19