Spectators To Spur You On

Regardless of how well prepared a runner is, however, things may happen along the way that can cause him to falter. "You were running well. Who hindered you from keeping on obeying the truth?" Asked Paul. (Galatians 5:7) Evidently, some of the Galatian Christians fell into bad company and, as a result, were distracted in their race for life.. On the other hand, support and encouragement from others can make the race easier to endure. This is much like the effect that the spectators in a game can have on the participants. Enthusiastic crowds intensify the excitement that keeps the contestants motivated from start to finish. The cheers of the onlookers, often combined with loud music and clapping, can give the participants the extra push they need as they come for the finish. Indeed, sympathetic spectators can exert a positive influence on those in the race.

In the race for life that Christian have entered, who are the spectators? After enumerating faithful pre-Christian witnesses of Jehovah, as recorded in the 11th chapter of Hebrews, Paul wrote: "So, then, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us . . . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) In employing the metaphor of a cloud, Paul did not use the Geek word that describes a sharply outlined cloud of definite size and shape. Instead, he employed on that according to lexicographer W.E. Vine "denotes a cloudy shapeless mass covering the heavens." Clearly, Paul had in mind a great multitude of witnesses-so many that they were like a cloud mass.

Can faithful pre-Christian witnesses be literal present-day spectators? Hardly. They are all sleeping in death, awaiting a resurrecting. However, they were themselves successful runners when alive, and their examples live on in the pages of the Bible. As we study the Scriptures, these faithful ones can come to life in our minds and can cheer us on, as it were, to run the race to the finish. -Romans 15:4

For instance, when worldly opportunities tempt us, would not a consideration of how Moses rejected the glories of Egypt motivate us to stay on the course? If a trial confronting us seems severe, remembering the hard test Abraham faced when he was asked to offer up his son Isaac would certainly encourage us to not give up in the contest of faith. The extent to which the 'great cloud' of these witnesses spurs us on in this way depends on how clearly we see them with our eyes of understanding.

we are also surrounded by a great many Witnesses of Jehovah in modern times. What great examples of faith have been set by anointed Christians as well as en and women of the "great crowd"! (Revelation 7:9) We can read their life stories from time to time in this magazine and other Watchtower publications." As we reflect on their faith we are encouraged to endure to the end. And how wonderful it is to have the support of close friends and relatives who themselves are serving Jehovah faithfully! Yes, we have many to spur us on in the race for life.

Next time: Set Your Pace Wisely

Watchtower, 1999