Look at the list of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:2-40. Most did not live perfect lives! However, God wants you to know them.
When you’ve crossed God’s line of what’s right and wrong, it isn’t the end of your world. God wants you to run with confidence! He wants to see you cross His finish line!
Paul faithfully fulfilled his Christian mission: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4: 7-).
Like Jesus, Paul was falsely accused, mercilessly beaten by unrighteous people for telling them God’s message of hope; he was imprisoned, and he was killed by ungodly men, as was Jesus.
His message for us is seen in Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Notice the Hebrew writer mentions obstacles getting between the believer and the Lord. Our world is filled with obstacles that make us more likely to accept what unbelievers do. They don’t respect Jesus! Movies mockingly use the holy name of Jesus as just another foul expletive. Is that OK with you? Do you approve of Jesus’ pure name being placed in dialogue where any number of filthy words might be inserted? Do you cringe?
People of faith eagerly wait for the day when Jesus returns to take us home! “Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9: 28).
Let’s follow the example of Abraham in the heroes of faith chapter (Hebrews 11) as we go through life: “For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10).