Today (9/20/15) would have been my grandma’s 90th birthday. It is also my 27th spiritual birthday. When I looked at the calendar, I got to thinking. We all stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. We owe our faith to faithful men and women past and present. Hebrews 11 recognizes a few amazingly faithful Old Testament saints. In the next chapter, the Hebrews writer encourages their readers with these words.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of 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. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
-Hebrews 12:1-3
While these men and women were physically dead, they were still spiritually alive and encouraging the readers to keep running the race of faith. These serve as proof of God’s guidance and faithfulness. They illustrate how God accomplished His Will, blessing them through their obedience and perseverance. This “roll call of faith” was not the only source of encouragement for these 1st century Christians.
For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. -1 Corinthians 4:15-17
These ancient Christians had many teachers of the word, including Paul who exhorts them to follow his example. Questions could be written to Paul or asked of Timothy. Along with the written word of God, modern Christians still have godly teachers in the church and hopefully in their families.The goal of the teachers and writers is simple: a race won!
For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. -2 Timothy 1:5
Hopefully our natural family is pulling for us to remain faithful to our Lord and Savior. Church a and families should serve the same purpose—encouraging us to keep going, helping us to fight off sin in our lives, and setting a Christ-like example. If we have both our natural and spiritual families aiding in this endeavor, we are doubly blessed.
Witnesses have always surrounded God’s people, encouraging them to continue in the faith. These people have set and continue to set a godly example for us to follow. Whether it was the saints of the Old Testament, the apostles, our own teachers, or our family and friends one goal remains…finish the race together.