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The Acts of the Apostles
much more careful should be our striving, how much more willing our
sacrifice and self-denial!
In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single-hearted
purpose that should characterize the Christian’s race for eternal life:
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking
unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
Hebrews 12:1, 2
. Envy,
malice, evil thinking, evilspeaking, covetousness—these are weights
that the Christian must lay aside if he would run successfully the race
for immortality. Every habit or practice that leads into sin and brings
dishonor upon Christ must be put away, whatever the sacrifice. The
blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal
principles of right. One sin cherished is sufficient to work degradation
of character and to mislead others.
“If thy hand cause thee to stumble,” the Saviour said, “Cut it off: it
is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two
hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause
thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt,
rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell.”
Mark 9:43-45,
[313]
R.V. If to save the body from death, the foot or the hand should be cut
off, or even the eye plucked out, how much more earnest should the
Christian be to put away sin, which brings death to the soul!
The competitors in the ancient games, after they had submitted to
self-denial and rigid discipline, were not even then sure of the victory.
“Know ye not,” Paul asked, “that they which run in a race run all, but
one receiveth the prize?” However eagerly and earnestly the runners
might strive, the prize could be awarded to but one. One hand only
could grasp the coveted garland. Some might put forth the utmost
effort to obtain the prize, but as they reached forth the hand to secure
it, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure.
Such is not the case in the Christian warfare. Not one who complies
with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one
who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to
the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the
strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who,
through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to
the will of Christ. The practice, in the details of life, of the principles
laid down in God’s word, is too often looked upon as unimportant—a