A personal rendition

I read Hebrews 12 the other night and was inspired to expand on it while,at the same time, make it more personal. Ergo, this is my rather lengthened rendition of Hebrews 12: 1-11

As Christians and believers of Christ, we are constantly being watched by the world; are we really what we say we are? Do we do what we say we do or what we're supposed to do? Do we enjoy it...? Because we have such an audience watcing for our Christian validity, let's show it to them! Throw away the sin that so wants to grab a hold of us, let go of the things you know you shouldn't have or do; get rid of your burdens that you may run all the faster. Jesus has set the course for a race... it's on for us! And the world is watching us. But how can we even hope to win if we have a ton of weight on our backs? It's slowing us down! Throw it away so you can run all the faster and hopefully, win. However, all the while as you run, you should be watching Jesus, who has already finished and won the race, but is running along with you - showing exactly how it is to be done (He did it perfectly, He should know). We have the opportunity to watch Jesus, who endured even the suffering of the cross because He was looking forward to the joy that would come of it, of course we should take it!

Take heed and listen to the direction and discipline of God. Do not take this issue lightly! God disciplines the ones He loves... if He's disciplinging you, He loves you! He wants you to be even better than you are for He knows your potential, He knows what you were created for. Can you believe that God loves us so much? He treats us as true sons and daughters... because we are His true sons and daughters! Such love!!! Now, think about this: When we are disciplined by our earthly elders, we are disciplined as seems best to them in their limited and finite knowledge. But God, who is the Ultimate of Goodness and the holder of all knowledge disciplines us as is best, not just as what seems best. We are being disciplined by the only person who truly knows what He's doing through and through! That's right, the everlasting sovereign King, the creator of mankind, my daddy... is disciplining me. Love? Oh yes! For He is showing us how to share in His Holiness, how to be holy. And who else can show us how to be holy except the One who is The Holy of Holies?! Who are we to complain of this discipline? Do you see what it is doing in and making of us? This discipline gives life, True life!

*Hebrews 12:12-29 coming soon