THE RACE
Hebrews 12.1
"Run with endurance the race." Paul mentioned this before in his Letters to the churches and to Timothy. Basically, under words "run the race" Paul meant our life in Christ.
~ 1. *Run the Race: (1Corinthians 9.24-26) (Galatians 2.2, 5.7) (Philippians 3.14) (1Timothy 6.12) (2Timothy 2.5, 4.7) (Hebrews 12.1).
In our life on Earth, we are racing to win many things, but Paul meant race in a different life, not the earthly physical life and its chores, but the race in the Spiritual life in Christ.
For a true Christian the primary target and goal in life is not to get rich and prosperous in material things, to accumulate material wealth and riches, but to accumulate and get rich in Spiritual treasuries of Spirituality of GOD and His Heavenly Kingdom.
Matthew 6.19-21.24
19. Do not lay up for yourselves treasuries upon Earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal,
20. but lay up for yourselves treasuries in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.
21. Therefore, where you treasuries is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6.21) (Luke 12.34)
~ 19-21. (Proverbs 23.4-5) (Matthew 6.19-21) (Mark 10.21) (Luke 12.33-34, 18.22) (1Timothy 6.6-19) (Hebrews 13.5) (James 5.1-6).
24. No one can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and mammon (wealth) (Luke 16.13).
Matthew 16.26
26. "What will a man be profited if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16.26) (Mark 8.36-37) (Luke 9.25) (KSB).
Matthew 22.21
21. They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the thing that are Caesar's, and to GOD the things that are GOD'S." (Matthew 22.21) (Mark 12.17) (Luke 20.25).
So, what the Spiritual treasuries are? They are Love for GOD and for people, Faith in GOD and in His Statutes and His Commandments. Mercy, Compassion, and of course the Good Deeds (1Timothy 6.18) in the Name of Christ as a proof of our Faith, Love, and Compassion. These are basic and major Spiritual treasuries that a Christian will accumulate on Earth in order to enter the realm of Spiritual Heaven - the Kingdom of GOD.
James 2.5
5. "Listen my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not GOD chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the Kingdom that He has promised to those who love Him?"
DO NOT LOSE HEART
Hebrews 12.3
This subject of trust, endurance, and strong conviction in GOD'S His Principals and Ideals is a one of many other major themes in the Bible and essential as a warning to all who claim to be a Christian. Paul presented here Christ as an example of endurance against hostilities against Him, He accomplished His mission to the end and did not betray the trust of His Father.
But as it written, many will fall, will lose heart, and turn away from GOD during their hard times, tribulations, and persecutions. Only those who will endure to the end will be saved.
~ 3. *Lose heart. Looking back. Shrinks back: (Luke 9.62) (Ephesians 3.13) (Hebrews 10.38, 12.3) (Psalm 119.113) (Ecclesiast 5.4).
THE DISCIPLINE
Hebrews 12.5-11
Discipline in Christ is also very important quality that allow a Christian to stay on the path of GOD'S Statutes and His Commandments, and also direct and hold others on the same path. Paul also presented this subject from the GOD'S side as being Disciplinarian to those whom He love (Job 5.17-18) (Proverbs 3.11-12) (Hebrews 12.5-11) (Revelation 3.19).
Sometimes we think that a person who experienced suffering or disaster in life is cursed or punished by the anger and wrath of the Lord GOD, which is could be very true, but it could be that he or she is disciplined by the Lord in order to put a person back on the right path to GOD and save his/her soul. Actually, discipline based not only on words but also and on physical punishments, so, whatever may happen to a person in terms of suffering and pain, may well relate to the disciple of punishment as instrument of GOD to make our ways straight and righteous before Him.
We must remember, the GOD is not only the Father of Christ, but also and our Father as well, and He disciplines us then it necessary in order to save us.
A person who was discipline and took the lesson to the heart and understood it, will also "yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness." (11).