“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)
The illustration used by the author of Hebrews in these verses is that of a race. Living our lives as believing Christians is presented as a race which we are called to run in to the finish. And, the way to complete this race is to focus the eyes of our heart and mind on the One who is the source of our faith. He is also the One who faced the shame of the criminal's cross for us and completed the task of providing for us, a perfect way to God. Jesus is the author of our faith. The idea of Jesus dying for us to set us free from sin was a part of our Lord's plan. That was a part of the reason why He came to live here on earth. And then, He followed this perfect plan and went all the way to its completion on the cross – so that our faith would have a perfect cause. That cause is what has made it possible for us to become true Children of God. It is nothing that we have done and there is nothing we could ever do on our own. This was done by the only one who could, God Himself. And this was done perfectly without fault or shortcoming. Let's keep our eyes on its author.
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