Hebrews 12:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

1 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,

When I was in combat training we were forced to wear full field packs with every imaginable weight inside. We would never carry such gear into combat but the training built up endurance in us that would be needed when it came time to do battle.

Much of our spiritual life feels just like that. We carry burdens in our own strength and try as we might we do not seem to be able to shed the burden. While God tells us our sins have been cast any from us it does not feel that way. Perhaps that is because we are in training and the real battle has not begun.

When that day comes when we will do battle, He will order us to dump our field packs and get ready to do battle. When it comes to the battle the enemy is before us and our burdens are behind us. The issues of battling spiritual forces has our foe on the run. Defeated at the Cross our foe does what we call in the military harassing tactics. Unable to effectively fight us, he snipes at us with lies and temptations.

Having shed those burdens we are better able to endure the battle and chase him off the field of battle.

Endurance and character are built during times of struggle when nothing substantial within our souls is at risk, like our training grounds.

Are you ready for battle or still training?