Who are the great cloud of Witnesses

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3

The great cloud of witnesses knew nothing about what we see in most of Christianity today. God is not concerned about whether you are baptist, nazarene, catholic, lutheran, nondenominational, or pentecostal. What God is concerned with, is that we have a relationship with Him based on the blood of Jesus, the resurrection from the grave, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by a changed life.

We need to be open and willing to receive all that God has promised us. Until we are willing to die to self, control, manipulation, and every other manner of evil and begin to yield ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit at work with in us, we can not experience the Life God has for us. It is time that we begin to look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We can no longer afford to tie ourselves to a form of godliness that denies the power. We must take ownership of our faith and put our eyes on the JOY set before us. These simple truths in Hebrews 12 help us not to grow weary and lose heart.


Questions for reflection:

How would the Great Cloud of witnesses view my life?
Am I open and willing to the things of God?
Am I concerned about What God thinks more than other people?
What form of Godliness do I subscribe to?
Am I a changed life because of what HE has done for me?
What portion of my life does the Holy Spirit control?


Blessings,
Todd