Free

HEBREWS 12:1

This passage about cloud of witnesses was making me think of a courtroom. 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

2Looking 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Although not in open courts of law, are we being accused constantly in our own minds or in the minds of others?

Witnesses are of two kinds

1. Friendly 

2. Hostile

How many of each will come forward?

Should I just plead guilty and ask for the mercy of the court? 

Or should I get an advocate 

and prepare a defense?

 

1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 

2But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 

3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 

4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 

6Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 

8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 

9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 

10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 

11For there is no respect of persons with God.

12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 

13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 

14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

—————

walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.