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.
Hebrews 12:1-4
—
“Is it a sin to buy things I don’t need?”
I remember vividly where I was sitting when the young woman asked me the question. At the time, I couldn’t tell if she was genuinely curious or just trying to be argumentative.
Either way, this was my response, “I’m sure, that in some circumstances, it is certainly a sin to waste our financial resources on things we don’t need. But not every hindrance to the Christian life is a sin.”
Here is how God explains it in 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.”
Notice that he calls us, as followers of Christ, to remove two things from our lives: 1) sin and 2) everything that hinders us from running the race.
There is a vast difference between Christians who know God and Christians who run the race with their eyes fixed on Jesus.
Those who know God and his forgiveness may feel compelled to remove sin from their lives. But those who run with their eyes fully fixed on Him have taken another step—they strive to remove EVERYTHING that is a hindrance to their Christian life.
Watching television may not be a sin, but if it keeps us from running the race as best we can, it is a hindrance that should be thrown off.
The same may be said of other forms of entertainment, hobbies, leisure, the trivial, travel, wealth, possessions, doubt, accolades… anything in our lives that takes our eyes off Him.
Not every hindrance to the Christian life is a sin. But we are still wise to remove them. Especially if we desire to run the race well.
—
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your wisdom. Help me to remove anything that hinders a relationship with you. May I run the race with my eyes fixed on you. Amen.