DEVOTION ~ JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH

Theme: Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith 

Text: Hebrews 12:1-3

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

The Christiandom is build on none other than Jesus Christ. Without Him, it will be difficult for the Christian to live a fulfilled life abiding according to God's plan and purpose on this earth. He is a perfect example to emulate in walking the talk of faith.

Having come to Christ as His follower, you're the light to many in this dark world. You have other believers too to keep you company. To abide faithfully, you need to lay aside every weight and sin which easily ensnare you. The weights of strive, unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, discrimination, anger, selfishness, and the other works of the flesh are sinful and they become a snare not allowing you to grow spiritually in the faith. You can't bear fruit of the Spirit with these weights, you need to shed them all off your sleeves (Galatians 5:16-18). It is only then that, you can run the race of faith.

The race of faith doesn't come with ease and for that matter you need to endure to run until you cross the finishing line (when the Father welcomes you to His Kingdom). The endurance becomes encouraging with your eyes fixed unto Christ Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. Our faith in God is affirmed in Jesus making Him the author of our faith. He is our High Priest who has sacrificed Himself for us all. As the finisher of our faith is a deep revealing truth which serves as a guide for our Christian race.

The finisher encourages you by sending you to Gethsemane when your pain in the race becomes more tougher. He reminds you, not to quit, give up, discouraged but seek the Lord's Will to be done. He prayed, if it is possible, the Father should let the cup pass Him by but not His will but the Father's be done (Luke 22:42). He endured the shame, pain, humiliations, insults, mockery, rejection, sorrows, wounds, and all the odds of the death on the cross. He was given the victory on the third day and after forty days, received into heaven by the Father (Luke 22:47-24:53).

There's a race you must run as a child of God. But if you depend on your own strength, you will fail woefully and you will miss the crown. Just as athletes train and are encouraged by records of others to do better and set new records, we have the unbeatable athlete who is a complete victor to learn from. It is only Him we must consider in the race and not other athletes (fellow believers in the Lord). The third verse of today's text says it all. For you not be discouraged on the way, always look at how the Saviour suffered all forms of hostility in the hands of sinners. If you're following Him, you'll also suffer same but don't focus on the hostility rather keep your eyes on Him and the crown that awaits you after crossing the finishing line to salvation. 

Prayer: Thank You Lord, my author and finisher of my faith, for setting the training ground well for my race. You said, it won't be easy, but I must not fear for You will always show up and give me the victory. Help me to confess this faithfully and run the race of faith until I cross the finishing line and come before Your presence this I ask in Jesus' name. AMEN!