Follow Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Your Faith

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, September 7, 2022
…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

Six months after joining a local Christian congregation, a dejected Carlos stopped attending church. He had heard and seen enough. The church had failed him, he concluded. He would rather return to his life of unbridled pleasure.

How could he remain in a church where the pastor had confessed to sexual sin? Why should he follow church leaders who had embezzled funds while continuing to serve? If those who knew God better than him were so sinful, Carlos believed he had no chance of salvation.

Follow Me

Do you know a Carlos in your society? Many people stop following Jesus because of the bad examples set by other believers, especially leaders, teachers and preachers. We sympathize with them but are they right to take such action?

Early in His ministry, Jesus told Peter and Andrew, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 4:19). Similarly, Jesus told Matthew the tax collector, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 9:9). We are Christians because Jesus extended the same call to us, albeit not directly.

Looking Unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith

Paul, while comparing the Christian experience to a marathon, urges believers to look, “…unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). When we forget to focus on Jesus and concentrate on the sins others commit, we risk walking away from our faith, like Carlos.

Even when we invite others to the kingdom of God, we should remind them to fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. When the journey of faith becomes hard and others veer off the path, we need to hear Jesus saying, again, “Follow me”.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I will look unto and follow You, the Author and Finisher of my faith.