October 30 – Perfected by the Author

"...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 (ESV) 

With the weight of doubts and unbelief cast aside by our faith in the word of God, we are able to run the race ‘set before us.’. As we run, we keep our eyes on Jesus because all that we have in Christ brings us righteousness in Him. It all comes from what Christ Jesus does for us. He originated our faith. Some versions say He is the Author of our faith which suggests how Jesus pioneered the path of faith for us to follow. He is also the perfecter of our faith. In Christ we have our faith completed. Can we believe in the joy that was enduring for Christ on the cross? Can this be our joy as it was Christ’s joy? We certainly can believe tha.t We share in the joy Christ had and like Him, we keep it in perpetually in view. It is what’s ahead that gives us courage and that endurance now because what is here and now is not our goal. We are promised victory over the shame of sin in the last words of this verse. Sealed by the Spirit with Christ who is seated at the right hand of God’s throne. 

- 200 -

April 4 – Truly Perfect Completion

“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.   

# # #

January 17 – No Other Way

“...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)

We believe that those who follow this blog and have believed in Jesus as their Savior, have become children of God.  If you are one, you have accepted what what Jesus did for you when He sacrificed Himself and died on the cross.  His death, burial and resurrection are the basis of your faith and that is why the author of the book of Hebrews call Jesus the author of your faith.  There is no other way to eternal life with God except to believe what Jesus did for us.  More than author, Jesus is also the perfecter of our faith and that is why we are encouraged to fix our eyes on Him.  We are reminded where to look and that is where Jesus sits at the right hand of the throne of God which is His place of authority and power.  Our promise today is that our faith will grow and mature as we keep our eyes on Jesus, there really is no other way.   

#-#-#

January 30 – Persevere to the End

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NIV)

The book of Hebrews is a letter written primarily to people of Hebrew background to encourage those who were Christians to live by faith. Chapter 11 records a list of many people who had lived by faith during the time before Christ was born. They were Old Testament saints who believed God by faith. Chapter 12 reminds us that these saints are witnesses to our faith walk. We are encouraged in today's verse to maintain that faithfulness. Life is like a race. For each of us there has been a starting line. For each of us there will be a finish line. God has determined the beginning and the ending and he has things for us to experience in between. We each have a purpose and we have work to do for God. But we remember, we cannot run this race on our own. If we are going to do well, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, he is our example and it is our faith in Him that helps us finish this race strongly. Today and every day, let us keep looking at Jesus and not look away, he will help us persevere to the end.