The Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

​In our journey of Christian faith, we encounter trials, challenges, and moments of doubt. Yet, amidst these struggles, we find our strength and inspiration in Jesus Christ—the Founder and Perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12 beautifully captures the essence of who Jesus is and what His role means to us as Christians.

The passage begins by reminding us of the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. These witnesses are those who have gone before us, exemplifying lives of faith and endurance. Encouraged by their example, we are urged to lay aside every weight and sin that hinders us, running the race of faith with endurance. 

​The passage also reminds us not to grow weary and that we are a part of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

"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 faint-hearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.'

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. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 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, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, 'If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.' Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 'I tremble with fear.' But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in Heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns from Heaven. At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' This phrase, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:1-29

Central to our endurance is our focus on Jesus Christ. He is not only the Founder but also the Perfecter of our faith. He endured the cross and despised its shame, all for the joy set before Him. Now, seated at the right hand of God, He intercedes for us and provides us with the strength to endure.

​This passage continues, urging us not to grow weary or faint-hearted in our faith journey. We are reminded of the discipline of the Lord, which, though painful, yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Just as earthly fathers discipline their children out of love, so does our Heavenly Father discipline us for our good.

Therefore, friends:

• We are encouraged to lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees, making straight paths for our feet.
• We are called to strive for peace and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
• We are reminded of the importance of guarding against bitterness, immorality, and unholiness, lest we fall away from the grace of God.

But amidst the trials and challenges, we are assured of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken!

As we navigate the ups and downs of life, let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ—the Author or Founder and Perfecter of our faith. Let His example of endurance and His promise of an unshakable Kingdom inspire us to press on, knowing that our faith is secure in Him. Let us worship Him with grateful hearts, knowing that He is our strength, our hope, and our salvation—and the Founder and Perfecter of our faith.

What encouragement have you found from Hebrews 12:1-29 today?