What does it mean to run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)?

from the old testament

• Hebrews 11 draws on many Old Testament stories of the faithfulness of God’s people. From Abel’s sacrifice (Genesis 4:4) to Abraham’s faith despite his age (Genesis 17) to Moses leading people out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10), these and many other men and women demonstrated what faith in God’s promises meant. They operated contrary to society and obeyed even when it made little sense. Their race is done, and now they are figuratively witnessing those alive today, cheering them on through their example of running the spiritual race well.

from the new testament

• The Old Testament witnesses fill the entire preceding chapter of Hebrews 11, demonstrating that a believer is not alone in God’s call to faithfulness. The author ends by saying, “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39–40). They ran without even knowing how God would work out salvation through Jesus. They trusted God despite not receiving what they were running for in this life.
• While we know how God has brought salvation, we are also running a race by faith. We believe that God really rewards the faithful (Hebrews 11:6) and that Jesus really is coming back (Hebrews 10:37). Using the illustration of a marathon, the author of Hebrews acknowledges that, even though Jesus has come, the race still isn't easy. Being faithful is just as hard now as it was in the Old Testament. Sin is just as strong and just as capable of causing believers to fall.
• Therefore, his encouragement is to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” (Hebrews 12:1a). Other versions translate it as “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us” (NASB). They capture the idea of a runner with excess weight and clothing that both slow them down and increase the risk of their feet getting tangled, causing them to fall.
• Sin is like this for the spiritual runner. It slows down one’s willingness to obey God, hardening one’s heart (Hebrews 3:13), and it becomes a temptation to pull our eyes away and to fall (Hebrews 2:1). Therefore, the author implores the reader to shed that excess weight and “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1b).
• However, removing the weight and having endurance is not about the believer doing the work. Indeed, if one becomes focused on the weight and clothes (the sin), one loses sight of where one is going. While we must be actively striving against sin (Hebrews 12:3–4), we can do so by relying on Jesus. Continuing the marathon metaphor, the author of Hebrews says, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
• By looking to Jesus we can put off the weight of sin and find the endurance to keep running. The author lists several key observations: He is 1) the foundation of faith (He brought salvation); 2) the perfector of faith (He is spiritually maturing us); 3) the object and example of faith (faith is in His life, death, and resurrection and He endured the cross); and 4) the ongoing motivator of faith (He exhibits authority from Heaven while awaiting His return).

implications for today

The Christian life can be hard! When Jesus told us to count the cost (Luke 14:28–33), He was warning that following Him meant losing family and friends (Matthew 10:34–37). It meant being hated by the world (John 15:18–19). It meant that we would be on the sidelines watching evil men and women around us succeeding (Psalm 73:3) while we were held back (Psalm 37:16). In short, it meant running against the world’s grain for the rest of our lives.

That makes the believer’s life hard. It doesn’t mean that we don’t have joy, but, like a marathon, we are in it for the long haul. It means pressing on and pressing on and pressing on.

How can we do this? By ourselves, we can’t! The race is too hard. But we are not alone. The Father has given us His Spirit (Romans 8:9). He resides in us, helping us overcome temptation and reminding us of Christ and of all we have gained for what we have lost.

That’s why the author of Hebrews effectively says, “Look back, look around you, and look up!” He said, look at all the faithful men and women who ran this race before you (Hebrews 11). They show that it is possible to complete it faithfully. He said, look around you—you are not alone. Be in fellowship with others, encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24–25). And he said, look at Jesus. He is how you entered the race, your example of endurance, and is why you can keep running. Remind yourself of these things and lay aside everything weighing you down, pressing on for the prize of eternal life that awaits you at the end.