Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Look No Further
Today’s Verse:
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 12:2
With most things in life, we look for a best example to model. In the realm of sports, this is ever true. There are sports personalities who exemplify excellence, stamina, fortitude, and peak performance whom other athletes want to follow. Parents look to other parents who have successfully raised their children as a model in raising great children. Makers of different products look at their competitors as examples of excellent products that are marketed. If we want to be or do something great, we look for great examples to follow. When we find the best one, we have no need to look further. This morning, we are encouraged to look no further for the best example for our faith. The Lord Jesus Christ is the One we are to look to!
There is the experience of our faith.
Preceding Hebrews 12:2 is an entire chapter about faith. It speaks of the definition, demand, and demonstrations of faith. The Christian life is a life of faith. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” “The just shall live by faith.” “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” Faith is obeying God no matter what. Faith will entail risk-taking. Faith will be stretched to the limit. Faith dares to ask God to do what we cannot humanly do. Faith believes the incredible, sees the invisible, and does the impossible. Our faith will be tested. Our faith needs to grow. Our faith will be put to the limit.
There is the example for our faith.
We have the Old Testament examples of faith: men like Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, and Elijah. However, these all died in faith. We are, many times, in need of an example that is enduring, that has not died. That example is the Lord Jesus Christ! Why is this? He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is both the Prince (Leader) and the Perfector of our faith. We do not need to look further than the example of our Lord Jesus Christ for our faith. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. His life encourages us to be good soldiers. His life encourages us to endure hardness. His life encourages us to remain strong even when things are not going well.
There is the expiation for our faith.
What makes Jesus the best example for us is that He endured the cross and despised its shame. He died for every sinner. Jesus, in His meekness, willingness, obedience, and determination, sets before us a model of how to be used of God in spite of hardships and difficulties. In enduring the cross and despising its shame, it speaks of how Christ left His glory in Heaven for the sole purpose of dying on the cross for our sins. When we get tired and discouraged, we must look to Jesus' death as an example of enduring the hardships of this life.
There is the exhortation for our faith.
We are to look to Jesus. We are to keep our eyes riveted on His model example for building our faith. We see Jesus and His authority; we see Jesus and His ability; and we see Jesus in His adoration. He successfully completed what the will of God was for Him. We are to successfully fulfill God’s will in our life. We can best do this when our eyes are on how Jesus did this.
We do not need to look further than the example that Jesus set for us. If He could do it, then certainly, we can as well. Look to Jesus as you take each step in your faith journey. Look to Jesus when sins that easily beset you and weights hold you down. Look to Jesus!
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 13-15
Comments