A PRESENT AND ACTIVE SAVIOR
Founder and Perfecter of Faith
Day 27 Friday
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EXPLORE THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
For us there is one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist,
and one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1 Corinthians 8: 6).
HEBREWS 12: 1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
HEBREWS 12: 7-8
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
CONSIDER
Another great title for Jesus from Hebrews is the “founder and perfecter” of our faith. Jesus is the author and completion, the initiator and the finisher, the start and the goal, the first one out of the blocks and the last one to kick the race home. His work encompasses our lives.
Jesus has already run the course of faithful human living. He plowed through suffering, temptation and even unjust rejection and ultimate condemnation, never losing faith.
Whatever stage of the human “race” we are in, we know that Jesus has gone before us. We draw from his victory. We trust that he will get us safely home. In the meantime, we can view our trials as creating maturity and deepening faith in us. We can see them as the necessary training, or discipline, that a loving parent provides a beloved son.
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PRAY THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Begin with the Jesus Prayer. Pray it reflectively several times, for yourself or on behalf of another.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Then pray the day’s prayer slowly and repeatedly for at least a minute (that’s about seven times). Allow the prayer to take you into the meaning of the day’s facet of Jesus’ name. Pray it for yourself and/or on behalf of another. Take your time and trust this process!
Lord Jesus Christ, Founder and Perfecter of faith, you began human
faithfulness by your obedience, now perfect your salvation in me.
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LIVE INTO THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
He has granted to us his precious and very great promises,
so that through them you might become partakers of his divine
nature . . . For this very reason, supplement your faith with
virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness,
brotherly affection and love (2 Peter 1: 4-7).
HEBREWS 12: 11-15
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble.
CONSIDER
Take some time to consider the difficulties you face in this stage of your life’s course. Consider Jesus who endured suffering and powered faithfully through even the cross. Ask him to strengthen your weary soul and body for the day ahead. Ask him to make even this seemingly senseless suffering become the discipline that deepens your sense of sonship. Draw strength as well from those faithful Christians who have gone before you and run their race to the finish.
Close by singing these verses from an ancient hymn,
Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone,
Chosen of the Lord and precious, binding all the church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever, and her confidence alone.
Laud and honor to the Father, laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit, ever three and ever One,
One in might, and One in glory, while unending ages run.
Anonymous. Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation. 7th c. Latin prayer,
trans. John Mason Neale. 1851.
LISTEN TO TODAY'S HYMN
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