12 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, 2 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. Hebrews 12:1-2

We’re all running a race set before us. Before anything, we have to take a hard look at our lives. Where am I running? In what direction? Am I going the right way? What happens if I die tomorrow? We need to run the race, looking only at Jesus. That’s the direction. Now, how do we run this race? When you’re running a race, do you have time to rest? No! You keep running until you cross the finish line.
With every situation we meet, we’re racing. Running the race to God means living according to God’s word. But some forces want us to turn our backs on God and not do according to His will. This is our fight. This is our struggle. We fight against Satan, sin, and death. So we’ve established the direction we need to go. And we understand the forces at work as we run with this race.
Now, to actually run the race, what are the most important things? First, we need a source of power. We need an energy source to provide the strength and power to run the race. Are you out of energy? Have you lost the zest for life and God? Think about your energy source. Where is it coming from? If it’s coming from money or anything material, this energy is short-lived. You won’t last long.
You need to connect with God! We need to connect to His power and strength. We need to connect to the power of truth. It’s like this. You’re running a race with people who are bigger and faster. What if you latch onto the fastest and most powerful one on the field? His speed becomes your speed. His power becomes your power. Like this, we need to latch onto God and use this as our energy base when running through life. So wherever you find yourself, seek to connect with God. Hold His hand and run through this race called life. Connect to Him by connecting to His blood and doing according to His will.
Next, after connecting to God and having him as our source of energy, we need to cut all obstacles and strings that are holding us back. We could be full of this amazing energy, but if we are tied down by strings and forced to carry heavy luggage, we will never win. We need to rid ourselves of obstacles and sins. Think about your life. What is holding you back? Why do you feel burdened? It’s sin. All the sins… all the bad things you’ve done press down on you. They hold you back from running to God. They hold you back from happiness.
And if you have sin in your life, you can never connect to God. You’re basically shooting yourself in the foot. You need to connect to God for Him to be the driving force in your life, and you need to get rid of obstacles and sin holding you back, but you can never get to the second stage with sin. Once sin is in your heart, God leaves. You’re on your own. You could fast, pray all night, go to church every day, and pay tithe, but if you have sin in your heart or actions, all those so-called religious actions do not mean a thing. Sin is basically anything “crooked” in your life- crooked in the eyes of God, crooked according to Scripture, and crooked according to your conscience. Find these sins holding you back and methodically repent them one by one. Set straight everything crooked in your life.
When you repent, do not fret about the ramifications. Let’s say sinning has been a part of your job. You’re supposed to keep the Lord’s day holy, but your job prevents you from doing that. Repent! Even if it means losing your job! Connection to God and running the race as best as possible are more important! You might’ve been doing some crooked things for years, decades. It doesn’t matter. Repent and set them straight. It could be something as subtle as a thought or feeling that goes against God. Explore every nook and cranny and repent.
We’re all running in a race, and the goal is to become one with God. To run this race, we need to connect to God and have Him as our source of energy and strength. Without connecting to God and His blood, we lose our way. We lose our energy and will to continue. We flounder. We need to rid ourselves of every obstacle and sin. What is holding me back as I run in this race to God? What is draining me? Repent all the sins in your life. Repent everything crooked in your life. This could be a bad relationship, a bad thought, or a crooked exchange. Whatever it is, free yourself of the burden of sin and run in the race of life without impediments!

Click for Korean sermon https://soundcloud.com/yhpaik/1987-7-15-short-12