Article - The Author and Finisher

The Author and Finisher

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.
-Hebrews 12:1-2

What or who is the source of our faith? Some will say that it originates from within. We have all heard the saying, “take a leap of faith” or, “all you need is faith.” Many sincere Christians believe that it is their faith that saved them and will allow them to enjoy Heaven’s eternal glory. The health, wealth and prosperity gospel teaches that we can enjoy great riches and have no problems whatsoever in this world if we have enough faith. Do these beliefs pass the test of scripture? The Bible and life experiences offer a stark contrast to these ideas.

In Hebrews chapter 12, the Apostle Paul encourages us to patiently run the race of life. He challenges us to lay aside the weight of trials and tribulations that we encounter daily. He instructs us to put away the sin that hinders our Christian walk. Then, he counsels us to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We are commanded to keep our eyes on the Lord because he is the originator and completer of our faith. Faith does not originate from us but from Jesus Christ!

In Hebrews 11:1 faith is defined as, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In the spiritual sense, Paul is teaching us that we have a hope beyond this world and the ability to believe things that we cannot see with our natural eyes because God reveals himself to us. In other words, we believe in God and know that Jesus is our Savior because he has imparted his faith to us.
The Bible teaches that we do not have the ability to understand spiritual things apart from the spirit of God. In John 3:3, Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” If faith is the evidence of things not seen, then we must understand our Savior to be teaching that we are given faith when we are born of the Holy Spirit. In verses 5-6 Jesus reiterates this truth. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Hence, faith is from God.

In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul writes, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We are saved because of the Lord’s faith. He is the author of our faith. The Bible teaches that we were chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation (beginning) of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The result of this choice is that the elect should stand before the Lord in holiness and without blame. Jesus is not only the author, but the finisher of our faith. When he sacrificed himself on the cross for his people, he did all that was necessary to secure our faith. Therefore, we can run with patience the race that is set before us! It is not our works, but the work of our Redeemer that empowered us with faith.

Critics will argue that if it is not of our faith that saves us, then we have no responsibilities towards God. On the contrary, we should be zealous workers in the Kingdom of God because of the faith he gives us as his children. Paul’s illustration of us running a race provides an excellent example of Christian zeal. Those that have run natural races understand the great effort involved in accomplishing this task. Likewise, the Christian race is challenging and we must approach it with the end in mind. We might run a natural race and not finish due to fatigue, etcetera. But rest assured that as one of God’s children you will finish your spiritual race because of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It is not our own!

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.