WITNESSES AND RUNNING "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith . . . " -- Tomorrow:
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Heb 12:1-4)
Devotion 9 of 13
Author and Finisher
The children of God assume a forward posture, not looking back as Lot's wife to the realm from which they have been delivered. This is not what they ought to do, but it is what they actually do! It is the way God makes them in the "new creation" (2 Cor 5:17). It is what people do who have been "joined to the Lord" (2 Cor 6:17). It is the stance of those who are "born again." This is how everyone begins when they are turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). You cannot in any sense be saved, whether initially or finally, without "looking unto Jesus."
However, because salvation is designed to be "worked out" in a hostile realm, amidst competing and adversarial influences, it is possible for our attention to be diverted – as happened to Peter when he was walking on the water to go to Jesus. He really got out of the boat, and he really walked on the water. As it is written, "And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus" (Matt 14:29). However, when his attention was drawn to the "wind boisterous, he was afraid," and began to sink (Matt 14:30). The possibility of this happening to us – i.e. of our attention being diverted from Jesus – is confirmed by this exhortation: "looking unto Jesus."
The secret to a proper focus on the future, is a consistent consideration of the Lord Jesus Christ. If He authored our faith, and alone is the Finisher of it, our attention must be focused upon Him. The strong implication of this text is that Jesus will not "finish" our faith is we are not looking to Him. When our attention is turned from the Son of God, we do the same thing Peter did: we sink! (Matt 14:29-31). A religion that does not give the Lord Jesus the preeminent place is an impediment to the soul. If it is not overcome, it will bring condemnation upon the individual.
Faith, from this perspective, is under the administration of the Lord Jesus Christ. The NASB reads, "the Author and Pefecter of faith." The word translated "Author" can also be rendered "Captain," emphasizing the administrative role of the Savior. The point of our text is arresting. The Lord Jesus will not perfect or mature our faith while we are occupied with other considerations. Faith is not self-developed or sustained. It requires the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to be initiated, nurtured, and brought to fruition. This condition requires an emphasis that is placed upon the Gospel of Christ; the record God has given of His Son (1 John 5:10-11).
A HEAVENLY MANNER
Faith makes our manner of life heavenly. We are looking for our Savior to "descend from HEAVEN with a shout" (1 Thess 4:16). That is where He is now. We look for Him to come from there to change our "vile bodes" (Phil 3:20,21). Believers are said to be "waiting for His Son from HEAVEN" (1 Thess 1:10). Currently, Jesus is speaking "from HEAVEN" (Heb 12:25), and our new house, or resurrection body, will be brought to us "from HEAVEN" (2 Cor 5:1-2). HEAVEN is where Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55; 1 Pet 3:22). Our hope is "laid up" for us "in HEAVEN" (Col 1:5), being "reserved" there "for us" (1 Pet 1:4).
The notion of a worldly-minded church is so utterly absurd it is repulsive to the believer – the one who is looking to Jesus and believing on Him. Endurance in the race is simply not possible without a due and invariable consideration of the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me strength and discernment to detect when I am being diverted from Your Son.