introductions.

I'll open this up with a verse.


Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us 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, looking unto Jesus.
(Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV)



I love this verse for many reason, but mostly because it pretty much describes my heart for this thing I'm apart of. It's a race.
Towards what?

The face of God.

And we can let down every weight,
and every sin (which so easily entangles us)

at Jesus' feet.

He made it that way so that we could be saved by grace, instead of works (Ephesians 2:7-9). No longer do laws determine our righteousness, but instead it is because of what Jesus did for us that we can say, "I am blameless in the eyes of God. I am forgiven."

Therefore there should be no condemnation amongst us.
This race is not a race against each other, in which the door to Heaven is closing quickly so that only few can get in...and we have to fight against others to get there.
No, it is a race towards the face of God, in which you and I run side-by-side towards goodness, holiness and righteousness, powered by the grace which has given us endurance to do so. 




And so we run this race, love one another, and above all, engage in this amazing relationship with the One who calls us His beloved.