Let it Go
Author: Pastor Thomas G. Wilson
March 26, 2020
Hebrews 12:1-3 TPT [1] As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life's marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. [2] We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith's perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! [3] So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won't become worn down and cave in under life's pressures.
The Passion Translation does a marvelous job representing life as a marathon. In many races there are impediments to challenge the runners endurance. There are hurdles, obstacles, barriers, hindrances, snares, distractions and other harassments along the way. It is interesting that when you pay careful attention to what hinders the runner in the race of life, verse one identifies the most challenging impediments anyone faces are internal. Wounds that pierce us and sins which cause us to fall. We realize what the sin is...sin is transgression of God’s law, it is missing the mark which is conformable to God’s will. Today let’s look at some common wounds that could hinder your race. In some cases wounds encountered in life are due to rejection and are accompanied by a deep sense of self-negativity, feeling that “No matter what I do, I am never good enough.” Still other wounds cause the feeling of an inability to act independently. These wounds come from the experience of someone with power over you being too controlling, constantly disapproving of your decisions and then punishing you for unclear reasons. The heaviest wounds I have dealt with in providing Biblical counsel are those related to a lack of affection. These people feel abandoned, pushed away or shut off. It can lead to a feeling of being extremely alone. They can feel as though no one sees them as important or understands them. All wounds from the past are potentially dangerous and can slow you down in life. We must remove every natural obstacle or hindrance to prepare ourselves to run unencumbered.
Though it always seems difficult to overcome deep wounds verse 1 gives a simple solution...let it go. In other words forgive and move on. It is important here to explain what forgiveness is not. Forgiveness does not mean what happened to you was justified and forgotten. Forgiveness doesn’t mean the person who hurt you is deserving. No one deserves forgiveness...they deserve what they gave. The one who hurt you may very well have been wrong but it is not that simple. They may truly be a cruel, manipulative, controlling, lying, bully. However, forgiveness causes us to consider how they got that way. It doesn’t excuse their behavior but it does give some insight.
Letting go means we give up our rights to justice, we give up the right to condemn them, release them from all acts of vengeance and hand it over to God. Forgiveness requires bravery, love and most importantly faith. Faith is the secret to overcoming and completing our race. Faith is looking and moving toward the future not paralyzed and stagnated by the past. The example given in our study passage today is of Jesus who for the joy of the fulfillment of His faith endured agonizing afflictions and humiliating personal attacks and today is seated in the exalted position of the right hand of the throne of God!
NOTE: Operating in a place of giving forgiveness as a member of Jesus’ body is mandatory. We stand in the position we stand in because of the forgiveness He acquired for us. We can’t give what we don’t have. But we have and live in it and must freely give it as a crucial part of our character. Stop and consider the pain we have inflicted on others and our need to receive forgiveness. Holding back hurts us more than the person we feel is underserving.
For further reading: Mat.5:23-25;6:12, 14-15, Mk.11:25-26; Lk.17:3-4
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