Eliminating for Progress

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." ( Hebrews 12:1)

"And if your hand--even your stronger hand--causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." ( Matt 5:30)

Nature teaches us many things. We know about compensation, seeds and harvests through agriculture. We know much about how the power of God operates through electricity. We learn about the sabbath of rest through the seasons and cycles of nature and our bodies. Truly as Paul said, the invisible things of God are plainly revealed in creation for all who care to see.

One other lesson of nature we concern ourselves with today is that of elimination. Nature practices elimination to maintain health. Using the human body as an example. A part of the food we take in is designated as waste. Every minute, you eliminate 30,000 to 40,000 dead skins which are immediately replaced by fresh skin tissue. We must breath out to eliminate carbon dioxide. We sweat and urinate to eliminate toxins from our bodies. Our kidneys and livers are working overtime to eliminate toxins. The entire ecosystem incorporates some form of elimination to maintain homeostasis.

In your walk with God and in life, as our texts today suggest, we must also allow this principle of elimination to take its course. In fact,we must regularly initiate it. As you get involved in the business of life, you receive various intakes from various sources and interactions.
Some of these are necessary for your healthy functioning in life while others are unwanted baggage clinging to you in the journey of life. All these start to accumulate in your life and soon become weights that hinder you in your walk. The constant practice of elimination helps you to keep in shape for your purpose in life. Here are examples of a few things you must constantly eliminate:

1. Wrong relationships. ( 1 Cor 15:33). Are your relationships drawing you closer to God and his destination for your life or away?
2. Moral impurity. (Psalm 19:12) Are your thoughts and actions empowering you or hindering you?
3. Wrong atmospheric exposures ( Lam 3:51). These include depressing TV shows, sensual music, suggestive movies and books etc.
4. Negative conversations (Eph 4:29). What kinds of conversations do you engage in? Are they empowering or disempowering?
5. Bitterness ( Eph 4:31). Bitterness is like cancer. It eats you up.
6. Time wasters (Ephesians 5:15,16). Do you waste time on nonessentials? Learn to chart your course.

The word of God guarantees a change in your life as you practice elimination. Why not do it today?

Decision of the Day

I choose to practice the principle of elimination. I cut of from my life everything that hinders me from running my race.