The Author And Finisher

Hebrews 12:2 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. One translation says author and prefecter of our faith. Another translation says our leader and instructor.

I often emphasize the part we have to play in walking out our faith walk. One of the reasons that I emphasize our end of things more, is because I know that the Lord always honors His Word, and will never fail to honor His end of the Covenant. Knowing this takes a tremendous load off of our shoulders. We are not in this alone. We can know that He is absolutely faithful to fulfill His promises. It is never only up to us. Even when we feel all alone, we are not. His Word says He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always there assisting, encouraging, leading, comforting, giving direction, and disciplining, as needed.

He created us and He is the One who gives us faith and the ability to walk in it.

John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

As Hebrews 12:2 says looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Our responsibility is to continue to look unto Him, and keep on looking to Him. We don’t look to Him once, and then that’s it. It is a continual and ongoing process. Looking to Jesus, we never stop doing this, and He will never stop being the initiator, and prefecter of our faith.

Have you ever wondered why we have to commit something to Him that He gave to us in the first place just so that He can keep it for us? There are legal reasons for everything God does. Since He is telling us to do it, then that should be enough of an answer for us to go on. I do know this, there are millions of Christians who have never committed the things of God over to Him. This is an act of dedication and consecration. He will not take back what He has freely given to us, we have to willingly turn it back to Him. This is where the blessings come from. I believe God only wants things from us that are freely given. What kind of a father would want robot children? Certainly, our Heavenly Father is no different in that regard.

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

He is able to keep that which we commit to Him. That would imply that if we don’t commit it to Him, He won’t keep it. There is something legal that transpires and takes place that gives Him the right to do just that. When we make that exchange, we are handing Him the legal right to initiate and sustain that which we have given to Him.

Many Christians give God a little bit of their life here and there, yet when they get into trouble they call out to Him and wonder why He seems so distant, and many times will even blame Him for their own created problem. We should keep in remembrance that we have been given a free will. The more we give to Him the more He can fulfill His calling, will, and purpose, in our lives. There is a deep truth here. He wants submitted vessels unto Him.

2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Even though we are the clay, and He is the potter, we are vessels that He created. We have to remember that our vessels must be consecrated unto Him in order to be used to His glory. He made us and gave us every good gift, yet we have to consecrate that gift back to Him in order for Him to use it. It is up to us to cleanse ourselves so that we may be vessels of honor.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

This is an act of our will, and He will not override it, yet He will bless it when it is consecrated unto His glory. His will has already been performed as He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.