Strip It Off

Keep me true, Lord Jesus
There’s a race that must be run,
There’s a victory to be won
Give me power every hour to be true

Recently, I began to reflect on the things we do under the claims of “this is just who I am”, or “that’s just my personality”. We adopt attitudes, mindsets, and patterns over time that eventually become the very things limiting our progress.

Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up… and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT)

The Race We’re Called to Run

In the King James Version, Hebrews 12 begins with “Therefore”; a reminder that this is a continuation of Hebrews 11, the great record of men and women who lived by faith. Their lives prove that the race can be won. They are in the stands, cheering us on, reminding us of God faithfulness.

Every believer has a race. It is personal. It is purposeful.

Weights: The Subtle Saboteurs

“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down…”

Not everything that hinders you is sin.
Like a runner shedding excess before a race, we must let go of anything that slows our spiritual progress. Many times, this requires honesty, surrender.

Scripture makes a fascinating distinction between “weights” and “sins”.

A weight isn’t necessarily a sin, but it is a hindrance. It could be something “good” or “innocent” in itself. A habit, a relationship, comfort zone, mindset or a lifestyle choice that simply doesn’t help you win. Even “good” things can distract from God.

Just as a runner sheds their tracksuit at the starting line, we must discard anything that discourages us from our spiritual potential. If you want to travel far, you must travel light.

Sin: The Obvious Trap

“…especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”

Sin is not just outward actions. It is anything outside of faith, anything that does not please God.

Sometimes, we disguise sin as personality: “That’s just how I am”, “I’m naturally angry”, “I can’t help it”.

But in Christ, that identity has changed. The new life we’ve received calls us higher. We are no longer defined by old patterns, but by the nature of Christ within us.

Sins, on the other hand, are the things that actively trip us up. Often, these are tied to our natural proclivities e.g., moodiness, anger, or unbelief, that we mistakenly claim as part of our identity.

Consider ‘Amaka’: She is vibrant and active in church, but when God asks her to step out of her comfort zone, she retreats, saying, “That’s just not my thing”. She forgets that when she gave her life to Christ, the “old man” passed away.

We shouldn’t hold onto character defects; we should exchange our weakness for God’s strength.

True growth begins when we stop excusing weakness and start surrendering it, allowing God to exchange it for His strength.

Running with Endurance

The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint. This requires active endurance—not just waiting around, but taking consistent action in the right direction until we reach the finish line.

How do we stay the course?

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

“Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross…”

1. Jesus is both our example and our strength. Vision sustained Him. He saw beyond the pain to the purpose — the salvation of many. In the same way, clarity of purpose gives us strength to endure discomfort. You will also be sustained by what you see.
2. Focus on the Joy
   Jesus endured the cross by looking past the shame toward the joy of the “multitude of children” (Isaiah 53:10) he would bring into God’s family.

It was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet, when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s plan will prosper in his hands.

Isaiah 53:10 (NLT)

Finally, The Christian journey requires intentional shedding; of sin, and anything that hinders our race. Nothing is worth slowing down your walk with God. We are to lay aside not only a sin but anything that would impede our walk by faith.

As Scripture reminds us in Romans 13:11–14, it is time to awaken, cast off darkness, and put on Christ fully.

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Romans 13:11-14 (KJV)