When we are alone or think we are – or at home – it is easy to relax and take it easy. But when we know that others are watching, we are more inclined to do better and try to uphold a good image.

All too often the world is critical of Christians – and rightly so. They quickly notice when believers make mistakes and are doing things (sins) that they should not do.

Unbelievers watch believers closely, and your testimony stands or falls based on what they know about you and see you do or say. Believers should be different than the unsaved. We are to shine as lights in a dark world – whether we like it or not.

Unbelievers are not the only ones watching your life.  So are young Christians and your children and grandchildren. Will your example help to bring them to Christ and encourage them to live a life of faithfulness to Him?

Still, there is another crowd that is watching your life, Christian. This crowd consists of those in Heaven who have already completed their race. Their service for Christ is finished – now it is up to you.

They have passed the baton to you. They are watching and hoping that you will do your best to keep others out of Hell. They worked hard for it and sacrificed much (read about them in Hebrews 11). Now, it’s your turn to show others that Christ is real, the promises are true – and that it’s worth it to serve our Lord with all our heart.

Is your life influencing others toward Christ or away from Him?

Every believer is in the race

Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 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,”

The Apostle Paul – the writer of Hebrews – reveals to believers that each of us is in a race. The race has nothing to do with salvation, since the sin-debt has been paid in full by Christ on the Cross, and we are saved by grace – not works.

The race spoken of in this verse is lifelong. It is not a short one in which you can serve for a little while and then retire and be at ease. Your rewards are based on how well you run. It also is not a race against other believers, but it is a test to determine if you will do your best for Christ for the rest of your life. Although failures may come, He wants to see you get up again and keep going.

Note that Paul says three things about this race that every believer needs to be actively engaged in:

1. There are “witnesses” – this refers to believers who went before us and gave their all to serve Christ.
2. There are “weights” – things (“sin”) that will prevent the believer from doing his or her best.
3. “Patience” is needed – so that you keep moving forward no matter what comes your way.

Thankfully, Paul also reveals how the Christian can keep on running the race. The key is in the next verse: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” By keeping our eyes on Him and seeking His pleasure and power – the race can be finished successfully.

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So often today, believers are quick to say that they want the power of God in their life to be able to serve Him better. They know that His power is available. They have heard about it in sermons, read about it in the Bible and in the lives of various missionaries and preachers, and may even know someone that has God’s power on their life. Yet, how to have it personally seems to continually elude them.

Even though you may live a life that is generally free from outward – and even some inward sin – there still may be toleration of some sins in the heart. It is quite possible that the toleration and possibly even excusing of some sin – even small ones – could be the reason why there is a lack of power.

Since God sees everything in our hearts, He is not fooled by a life that continues to entertain compromises. Be honest about your sin and confess it to God. Then, ask for His help in getting victory over those sins. The text verse declares that there are “witnesses” all around – possibly saints that have gone on before and angels – that are constantly watching. No doubt they wonder why the sin continues to be entertained and how long you will be without the power you say you seek.

If you, as a Christian, are not certain about what little sins may still be in your life, ask God to show them to you – He will. It is pointless to ask for it, however, if you have no real intention to give them up for His glory. In that case, you will want to ask yourself: “What sin is worth having that it will continue to rob you of God’s power and blessing – and that you will only regret further in eternity?”

While no believer will reach sinless perfection in this life – you can still have His power if you continue to seek His glory and confess and forsake sin with His ongoing help.