Is this what they died for

greetings beloved brethren of the steem church i will be sharing a message titled" is this what they died for." lets look at the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

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.

A cloud of witness? Yes! So great a cloud of forerunners who have run this race you are running and overcome, so why won't you overcome?
Christianity is not a religion rather it is a way of life and practice. It is life itself. Remember, the Apostles were first called Christians in Antioch

Acts 11:26 New International Version (NIV)

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

because Christ was visible in them. Do people see Christ in you? Can you be called one even without mentioning it to them? If your answer is No, then you need to rethink and run to Christ. Or you are among those who say Christianity is in the heart? That is true, but remember that a container reveals its content and determines if it should be accepted or not. Our great pioneers. of faith like Abraham, Elijah, Joseph, Noah and others ran the race without fear, despite the challenges, and they are watching how you and l are running ours. Moses choose to suffer affliction for a while with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season

Hebrews 11:25 King James Version (KJV)
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;.

Daniel 1:8 New International Version (NIV)
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Daniel denied himself of the portion of the kings' meat just to run the race.
The three Hebrew children, even in a strange land, refused to bow down to idols as ordered by the king, and were threw into the burning furnace,just to run the race.

Daniel 3:20 King James Version (KJV)
And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Peter had to leave his family to serve Christ, just to run the race. Esther risked her life, to break the grip of the enemy over her people, just to run the race (Esther 4: 11 , 16, 5:2).
Ruth risked her life, disregarded her culture, people, friends and choose to run the race, that even her mentor and mother in-law, (Naomi) failed to see, simply because she had to run the race (Ruth 1 : 1 6).

Ruth 1:16 New International Version (NIV)
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

The question is: WHAT IS THAT THING YOU MUST LET GO, So as to run the race? Remember you are inexcusable (Rom. 2:1). and it is written if any man will come after me, let him deny
himself and follow me. (Matt. 16:24),

Matthew 16:24 New International Version (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

what have you denied? Christianity must cost you something, if it has not then you have not started the race. Christianity is not all about going to church, neither a show off, but a religion of discipline and power, it is life itself. The scripture says, in (1 Cor. 10:13).

1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version (NIV)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Thus, there is no sin you cannot overcome.