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my FAITH or MY faith?
Rod Shimabukurolooking 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. Hebrews 12:2
There seems to me to be a connection between the initiative believers should take in “having faith”, and faith becoming “works”. Believers can grow weary or fainthearted in living out their faith. But I must not consider my faith a works oriented believing, where I gain “more access, more favor, more blessings” because of MY faith. JESUS IS THE FOUNDER and PERFECTER of my FAITH!
He endured the cross. Verse 3 says... Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Jesus endured the violence of sinners and the cross - so that we wouldn’t grow weary. Not growing fainthearted in faith is something JESUS dealt with for me!
So... I want my FAITH never to become MY faith. Where “MY” faith becomes about what I do to unleash God’s power. Or because of MY faith, God is moved to BLESS ME with provisions, success or favor (in healing, finances).
I guess part of my application is a struggle or tension I have within myself. I never want my faith in Jesus to be something that overrides my “FAITH IN JESUS.” If that makes sense. Where my FAITH IN JESUS, becomes more about what “I can do” because of MY faith. The “MY” is blown up to bigger proportions. Then if I’m not blessed financially, healed physically, experiencing the blessings of God - it’s because of “MY faith.” Yikes and Yuk!
JESUS - JESUS!!!! I LOVE YOU! AND THANK YOU FOR BEING THE FOUNDER AND PERFECTER OF my FAITH IN YOU! Help me to live out, believe and obey Your promptings to express the faith I have in and from You! I LOVE YOU!
