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Lay Aside Every Weight
Vol. 12, No. 2 — Feb 2010
Page
12
The Hebrews writer was very definite when he instructed his readers to “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” (Hebrews 12:2). Sin is so capable of causing us to be thrown off course. James said it has the potential for drawing us away (James 1:14). Other terms like “enticed” and “ensnared” are used to describe sin’s affect on us. Also, when we are burdened with “weight,” the work of the Lord suffers. Whether weighted by sin or any other element that has the potential for preventing us from living the Christian life or finishing our task here, it needs to be dumped! The disposition of Paul was always to be looking forward and pressing for something better (Philippians 3:14). He strove to put the past behind him and allow nothing to interfere with his primary objective of being a slave with total commitment to his Lord. David indicated that there are some burdens that we are entitled to carry, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” (Psalm 68:19). We must always qualify what we are doing and that which is allowed to impact our lives to see if it is for our betterment or serves as a negative. With the present condition of our national economic situation, people are being forced to eliminate excess and unnecessary expenditures and debt. This may be good in that it forces us