Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was 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
Are friends and loved ones in heaven watching us right now and cheering us on? NO! Only God is All-knowing and Omnipresent. DEAD people do NOT look at us and do NOT hear us. They are DEAD. What "huge crowd" is this? What is this "great cloud of witnesses," as it says in the Bible?
One big hint is the fact that Hebrews 12 comes right after Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11 is a record of the great men and women of faith who died serving God. We sometimes refer to it as the Hall of Faith. You read about Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Gideon, Samson, David, Rahab, Daniel, and the list goes on.
So who are the witnesses in Hebrews 12:1? They are simply people of faith who have gone before us, giving us a model to follow so that we might live and exercise our faith as they did. Reading about the lives of these men and women who have walked with God and trusted Christ and stood strong in the face of trials and persecutions can add steel to our souls.
These men and women aren't simply giving us a template to follow.
I know for certain that Jesus is our God like His Father and He is watching us, turn for turn, step for step.
Let us strip off sins and put on the God Jesus Christ.
13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:14
Job 29:14
I put on righteousness:angel: as my clothing; justice:angel: was my robe and my turban.
Galatians 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Ephesians 4:24
to put on the new self, created to be like God :angel:in true righteousness :angel:and holiness:angel:.
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles (unbelievers):devil::angeldevil::buddies::toomuch::eat: walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness:devil: with greediness:winksmile:.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct:devil:, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts:devil:, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man :angel:which was created according to God, in true righteousness:angel: and holiness:angel:.
Ephesians 4
Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self:angel:, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy:angel: and dearly loved:hearts:, clothe yourselves with compassion:angel:, kindness:angel:, humility:angel:, gentleness:angel: and patience:angel:.
Character of the New Man :angel:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
