Page 58 - Principles for Discipling Others-Student textbook

3. We can get sidetracked by Satan and not accomplish our God-given duties. In the book of Hebrews,
the author in chapter 12 reminds us of the faithfulness of dozens of people in the Old Testament. Each,
by faith, obeyed God and ended up in this list of the heroes of faith. Here is how the group is
introduced:

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
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us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Notice that throughout our Christian journey, we are to keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ. But the
verse also tells us that a couple of things can sidetrack our journey: worldly weight and sin which clings
to us. In other words, the weight of this world and the sin we allow to remain unconfessed can take us
off the path and lead us to waste our time on a false journey.

Paul warned the church at Corinth to discipline their bodies by self-control. In other words, he was
telling them not to get sidetracked in their spiritual journey, lest they be disqualified, as a racer does
when he leaves the track.

I Corinthians 9: 24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?
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So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a
perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the
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air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should
be disqualified.

Again, Paul uses the metaphor of a race to help us understand that our life has a start and a finish, and
that we must be diligent in running so as not to disqualify ourselves in any way.

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2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me
on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul tells us about a man named Demus who deserted him, and Paul tells us why:
because he loved this world. The lures of the world, the riches and things it had to offer, caused Demus
to leave the path and journey down another road. Obviously, Paul warned us in Hebrews 12:1 that
every believer is susceptible to altering their course if they take their eyes off Christ.

4. God promises special rewards to those who are faithful. But he also promises a LOSS of reward to
those who stray from the path. Check out these verses:

I Corinthians 3: 12-15 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be
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revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has
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built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer
loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

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