Loose the Weight!
Hebrews 12:1,2 says, “Therefore we also, since we
are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God.”
The above passage teaches us we must “lay aside every weight” as
we run our Christian race. Thankfully, we do not have to get rid of all
this weight without the help of Christ. There are several “weights”
he can help us lay aside through the forgiveness of sins He offers.
Jesus Christ can help us lose the weight of guilt.
Romans 3:19 teaches us that through the law we are all “guilty before
God.” In fact, earlier in verse 10 we are told, “There is none
righteous, no not one…” The guilt of sin should cause us to seek
forgiveness as a means of ridding ourselves of our broken relationship
with God. Just as David had to admit his sin with Bathsheba to God (2
Samuel 11,12; Psalm 51) we must also admit our unworthiness and need of
forgiveness to our Lord and Savior. Only by “looking to Jesus”
may we lose this heavy burden.
Jesus Christ can help us lose the weight of debt.
The problem of financial debt is constantly on our minds. More
importantly, our sin has caused us to be spiritually indebted to God.
The moment we chose to sin our spiritual check bounced. Romans 6:23
says, “For the wages of sin is death…” Those are not the wages we
would like to receive. Thankfully the verse concludes, “…but the gift
of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus Christ has
offered to pay the bill on our debt. Joyously may we sing, “Jesus Paid
it All!” Isn’t this a weight you’d like to lose before the Judge comes
to collect payment for how we lived our life (Luke 7:40-43)?
Jesus Christ can help us lose the weight of fear.
Contemplation of our sin may make us fearful to approach God. As we
realize our sins against God we should be terrified of His eternal
judgment. Yet, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice helps us to overcome this fear.
Hebrews 2:14,15 says of Christ: “…He Himself likewise shared in the
same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of
death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” We should no longer be
terrified of death. If Jesus Christ has forgiven us of our sins we
should proclaim with Paul, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades,
where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Jesus Christ helps us lose the weight of stress.
It should be wonderful to know that God cares for and loves us (John
3:16). In addition, Jesus Christ went through the trials of mankind and
understands our difficulties (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15,16). This helps us
approach Him boldly in prayer as our Mediator and Advocate (1 John 2:1;
1 Timothy 2:5). If we “seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness” God has promised to take care of the necessities of
life (Matthew 6:25-34).
Would you like Jesus to remove the weight of guilt, debt, fear and
stress? He offers you “remission of sins” today. Meet His
conditions and the promise is yours (Matthew 26:28; Acts 2:38).