Looking Away Unto Jesus vs. Author and Perfecter of Our Faith
Hebrews 12:1–2a: “Therefore
let us also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, put away
every encumbrance and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race which is set before us,
looking away unto Jesus...”
Hebrews 12:2b–3: “...the
author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of
God. For consider Him who has endured such contradiction by sinners
against Himself, so that you may not grow
weary, fainting in your souls.”
Matthew 14:29–30: “...Peter,
coming down from the boat, walked upon the water and came toward Jesus. But
seeing the strong wind, he became afraid, and as he began to sink, he cried
out, saying, Lord, save me!”
Acts 7:55–56: “But being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God...”
Category |
Looking Away Unto Jesus |
Author and Perfecter of Our Faith |
Theme |
Looking away
from
distractions and fixing eyes on Jesus (Heb.
12:2a) |
Jesus as the
originator and finisher of faith (Heb. 12:2b) |
Meaning |
Turning our
attention away from self, sin, world, and fixing gaze on Christ as
the sole focus. |
Christ begins
faith in us and brings it to completion; He is both the source and the goal
of faith. |
Key Point |
The act of
spiritual focus and separation from hindrances. |
The role of
Jesus in initiating, sustaining, and perfecting faith. |
Reason |
Without looking
away, believers will be hindered by sin and earthly concerns (Heb. 12:1). |
Faith does
not come from ourselves but from Christ who
empowers and perfects it. |
Method |
-
Lay aside every weight and sin (Heb. 12:1). |
- Trusting
in Christ’s finished work on the cross (Heb. 12:2). |
Example |
- Peter
walked on water when looking at Jesus but sank when looking at the
wind (Matt. 14:29–30). |
-
Abraham as the father of faith: believing God’s promise (Rom.
4:20–21). |
Application |
- Daily
turn away from distractions and focus on
Christ. |
- Rest
in Christ’s work, not in self-effort. |
Related Scriptures (Expanded) |
- Colossians 3:1–2: “If therefore you
were raised together with Christ, seek the things which are above, where
Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things which
are above, not on the things which are on the earth.” |
- Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of
this very thing, that He who began in you a good work will complete it until
the day of Christ Jesus.” |
Conclusion:
l Looking away unto Jesus is our act of faith and focus.
l Jesus as the author and perfecter guarantees the beginning and end
of our faith. Together, they show the
believer’s responsibility to look and Christ’s work to perfect.
*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General
Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 8:
Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith
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