Looking Away Unto Jesus vs. Author and Perfecter of Our Faith

 

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). - Seek things above (Col. 3:1–2). - Beholding Christ’s glory (2 Cor. 3:18).	- Trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross (Heb. 12:2). - Depending on His Spirit for transformation (Phil. 1:6). - Following His endurance as example (Heb. 12:3).
Example	- Peter walked on water when looking at Jesus but sank when looking at the wind (Matt. 14:29–30). - Stephen looked steadfastly into heaven and saw Jesus (Acts 7:55–56).	- Abraham as the father of faith: believing God’s promise (Rom. 4:20–21). - Paul testifies that Christ will complete the good work (Phil. 1:6).
Application	- Daily turn away from distractions and focus on Christ. - Live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).	- Rest in Christ’s work, not in self-effort. - Have confidence that He will finish the work of faith in us.
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.” - 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit.”	- 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.” - Romans 4:20–21: “Yet, with regard to the promise of God, he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief, but was empowered by faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that what He had promised He was able also to do.”

 

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