The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, ^(A)let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and ^(B)let us run ^(C)with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the ^[a]author and ^[b]finisher of our faith, ^(D)who for the joy that was set before Him ^(E)endured the cross, despising the shame, and ^(F)has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

⁸ But ^(A)God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified ^(B)by His blood, we shall be saved ^(C)from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For ^(D)if when we were enemies ^(E)we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved ^(F)by His life.

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Christ Our Peace

¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one ^(A)new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might ^(B)reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby ^(C)putting to death the enmity.

²⁰ and ^(A)by Him to reconcile ^(B)all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, ^(C)having made peace through the blood of His cross.

²¹ And you, ^(D)who once were alienated and enemies in your mind ^(E)by wicked works, yet now He has ^(F)reconciled ^22 (G)in the body of His flesh through death, ^(H)to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—