Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.   

- Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Do you remember Timon from the movie Lion King? A funny guy, for sure.

Do you remember his famous words from the movie when he said, “you mean there’s a bunch of dead guys up there looking down on us?”

Timon was right and wrong; people are looking down on us, but they are not dead; they are more alive now than when they lived on the earth!

The Bible says, “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not the God of the dead, but of the living. The Bible also says, “a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us.”

We could call them spiritual pioneers.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Weight and sin are to be laid aside.

Sin creates consequences, sometimes in the form of shame and condemnation.

The Bible says to confess our sins, and He will forgive us.

When we confess our sins, the weight of sin is removed by the Holy Spirit.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God says if we confess, He will forgive.

The great news is that if we do our part, God will do his.

Blessings,
Thomas