Author And Finisher of Faith
Author: from the Greek word archegos which means: author, originator, founder, prince, leader, captain; and literally means"First-leader" - and thus "does not strictly mean 'author' in the sense of a writer, but rather a person who is the originator, inventor, creator, pioneer, or founder of something new or unique; and who continues as it's leader, and/or sustainer.
Finisher: from the Greek word teleiotes which means: Finisher, or Pompleter. properly, a consummator, someone who brings a 'process' to its end, finish, and perfection (a Perfecter); and is derived from the word telos which means: reaching the consummation, or the end-goal, aim, or purpose of some endevor. In context the 'process' that Jesus is bringing to completion and perfection is our faith; which is faith in God's Son Jesus, faith in His Way of salvation, faith in His promises, callings, and leadership; faith in His commandments and ways of living,...
Faith: from the Greek word pistis which means: Faith; and is derived from the word peitho: which means: to persuade, to be persuaded" – properly: persuasion to the point of Faith: which encompasses the complete trust, belief, confidence, surrender, and obedience in and to the One in whom we have plaved our faith. Spiritual faith is a gift from God; and this faith grows by means of Gods continual persuasion in our lives through His Word, through His provision, through the guidance of the Spirit of Christ abiding in us, and through trials and tribulations, and other testings of our faith.
Faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. ... But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. " (Hebrews 11:1-2, 6, ....)
"Now faith is the substance (real stuff) of things(promises from God based on obedience to God's word and comands) hoped for, the evidence(factual acts of faith in obedience to God) of things not seen(the same hoped for promises to be obtained sometime later in the future) . For by it(by faith) the elders obtained a good report(it was counted unto them as righteousness!); as it says: " '.. but the just shall live by his faith." (Habakkut 2:4)
Author And Finisher of Our Faith: In context, Jesus is the Author, Founder, Originator, and Sustainer of our faith. Jesus is also the One who will cause our faith to grow from faith to faith through the pursusaion of His Word, the continual leading of His holy Soirit within us; and through His provision, trials and tribulations, and other testings of our faith. Jesus will bring our faith to its complete and perfect finish! Specifically Jesus is the One, and Only One, who brings the life of faith in us to its complete finish, conclusion, and consummation. In context Jesus is the One who has in His own person "raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith in the Father's will and purpose" for us in His Beloved Son Jesus!
Jesus is called the Author and Finisher of Our Faith! We must "look" unto Jesus so that He can sustain, perfect, and complete our walk of faith. This is a walk of faith dependent on abiding in Christ Jesus, and Christ Jesus abiding in us. Just as the great "cloud of witnesses" accomplished great acts of faith in regards to the promises of God, so also may we through faith, when we in obedience, abide in Christ and place our hope in His promises and rewards to us! Consider these faith based exhortations:
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philipians 2:12-13)
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of our God and Father; knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; so that you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith towards God is spread abroad; so that we need not to say anything." (1 Thessalonians 1:3-8) (For example read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7)
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ; by grace you are saved; and He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has beforehand ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:4-10)
"...When He (Jesus) shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed in that day. Therefore also, we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and make-full every good-desire of His goodness, and the work of faith with power; so that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:10-12)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.' " (Romans 1:16-17)
"Now to Him (Jesus) who has power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith; To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen." (Romans 16:25-27)
"We say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.' (Romans 4:12-25)
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:14-26)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart (Deuteronomy 30:14); that is, the Word of Faith, which we preach; that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in Him shall not be put shame' (Isaiah 28:16). For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all those who call upon Him. 'For whoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved' (Joel 2:32). How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? It is as it written, 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things' (Isaiah 52:7). But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah said, 'Lord, who hath believed our report?' (Isaiah 53:1) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:8-17)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has caused us to be born again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold trials; so that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving as the end of your faith (the end-perfection of your faith), even the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9)
Jesus is ...
the Author and Finisher of Faith
and here
place prayer and praises here
Truly, truly, Amen and Amen!
My hope and prayer is that this devotional will help draw you close
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May Jesus, the Author and Perfecter, and Completer, and Finisher of Our Faith, who sits at the Right Hand of
the Father in His Kingdom - bless you with all the blessings and promises of faith in Christ Jesus - forever and ever!
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