◄ Stripping Off Hindrances ►

You are worried and bothered about many things."
Luke 10:41

Therefore – let us strip off every weight that slows us down.”
Hebrews 12:1

Unique Authority

Scripture is the unique authority in prophecy, in science – in living and in dying. Scripture is the only directive that we should adopt to live our lives. Scripture is the one plum-line that we should use to develop doctrine – but beware lest the study of scripture diverts you from the Subject of scripture.

Subject of Scripture

Jesus said to those that rejected Him, "You search the Scriptures: because you believe they give you eternal life, but the Scriptures point to Me!"– John 5:39 All scripture points to the Lord Jesus Christ – science, prophecy, life, and death must all have Christ as the one, unique focal point. Scripture tells us how to live – how to die – how to overcome – how to be faithful – how to be faithful. Adopt any other strategy, or mix in your opinions and you develop a different doctrine.

Hindrances

Martha was bothered and worried and troubled about by many things, but in her bothering and in her busyness she missed the vital presence of God. We are all like Martha – bothered, worried, and troubled about by many things, and like her, all our botherings become hindrances in our relationship with Jesus.

Knowing God

But scripture tells us how to live our lives victoriously and wisely. We are first and foremost to lay aside every hindrance to discipleship. We are to put away everything that diverts us away from our life-calling, and the life into which we are all called is to know God and to know Christ. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent. John 17:3

Diversions

This does not mean we are only to lay aside things we are not bothered about. It means that we are to lay aside the things in our lives that do bother us! We are to examine our lives and recognise the things that are hindering our calling. We are to strip off all those hindrances –all that bothers – all that weighs us down. We are to pair away everything that diverts us away from knowing Jesus.

Resolutions

This is a positive action that we are to undertake – it will not simply happen. This is a decision of the will – it is a resolution we need to make in our minds. God will not force His mind, His thoughts, or His will on an unwilling servant, and yet we are exhorted to let the mind of Christ dwell in us richly. This will not simply happen, but it is a decision of the will as we walk in spirit and truth.

Conscious Weights

We need to pray, 'Thy will not mine be done', but that prayer is a choice – a choice you will make or a choice you will spurn. Some weights are certainly sinful but by no means are all weights sinful. Some weights weigh us down unnoticed and are like shackles on the feet of a slave. Some weights we are conscious of and need to deliberately set them aside.

Unconscious Weights

Other things are unconscious weights, which may have built up over many years. Such unconscious weights can become a way of life – such unconscious hindrances can weigh us down. The carnal mind often cries out for rest, recreation, security – not recognising these may all be shackles, hindrances - things to be laid aside.

Bothersome Things

Time can also be a big hindrance to which we all so stubbornly cling. Time is often filled with all things that bother us all so much. But remember..what Jesus said, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and bothered about many things.

Spiritual Progress

The believer is exhorted to lay aside all that makes us anxious or bothered, for Scripture indicates that the faithful servant must lay aside every weight. Cast all your weights – all your burdens upon Me. We need to scrutinise our lives to uncover the things that bother us. We all need to lay aside everything that hinders our spiritual progress. We need to ask Jesus to show us the encumbrances in our own lives – and tell Him that with His guidance we are willing to lay them all at His feet.