"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
A wise man once said: "The more you look at Him (Jesus), the more we become like Him"
Jesus is the source and eternal reference point of our faith; He is initiator and the perfecter of our faith, the beginning and the ending of our faith, the Alpha and Omega of our faith.
So we have to consciously and constantly keep our eyes on Him if we are to live by faith. Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the Word of God.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."- John 1:1,14
Looking unto Jesus, practically implies the following:
1. Focus on the Word
The Word of God is the Basis for our Faith, it the building blocks upon which our faith is established. So we must fix our eyes and gaze constantly on the eternal truth and realities of the Word.
For example Peter walked on water whilst he keep His focus on Jesus and His Word to 'come', but began to sink when he took his focus away from Jesus and placed in on the raging wind. This allowed fear doubt and axiety to set in.
"And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"- Matthew 14:29-31
2. See With Eye of Faith
Jesus saw 'the joy' ahead of Him, He saw the glory beyond the momentary pain, anguish, suffering. He saw the resurrection (eternity) that was beyond the death on the cross, no wonder He was able to go through the suffering and endure the shame.
We must also see the circumstances surrounding us with the eye of faith, because no matter how challenging the situation may be, it will surely come to pass. The Word of God is the eternal truth, anything contrary to that is a temporal (passing) truth at best.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."- Psalm 119:89
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"- 2 Corinthians 5:7
3. Endure & Persevere in Faith
Scriptures say Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame thereof. And we are admonished time and again in scriptures to follow after Jesus and the patriarchs of faith who through patience, endurance and perseverance obtained the promise.
"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."- Hebrews 12:3
Jesus endured and persevered, Abraham 'patiently endured' and the elders obtained good, glorious and eternal reports through 'faith and patience'. (see Hebrews 6:12,15).
As we keep our eyes on Jesus and always on the Word of God, our faith will be strengthened and we shall obtained the good reports and inherit the promises of God for our lives- Amen!
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