The
Pioneer And Perfecter Of
Faith
Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured
the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will
not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle
against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And
have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as
a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s
discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord
disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Endure hardship as
discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not
disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes
discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover,
we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.
How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us
for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems
pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews
12:1-11
There are a lot of
people who are content to write their own stories, and have God edit them when
things go wrong. Let God write your own story. When you have serious things
that happen, let God write the story.
We know we can trust
Him. As we look to Jesus, and run with endurance the face that is set before
us,” we can trust Him. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus wrote
the beginning of our story, and He’ll write the next chapter and the ending as
well.
Let
your life tell the story of Christ’s love and mercy to the world around you.
Our
Daily Bread – August 25, 2013