The Finisher of Our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...


Do yourselves a favor, today. Read Hebrews 11:1-12:3

Don't just read it, though. Read it ALOUD! Make a Shakespearean production out of it. It's all pretty much in "modern" English. Not a thee or thou can be found. The only ye is in the last verse.

When you get to verse 32 start the hand gestures as a good Shakespearean actor/actress would. If that's a little weird, just imagine you are.

I have just read it, it would seem, for the first time. I love it when God just out of the blue takes a passage you have never gotten excited about and makes it electrifying. I know, I know. You are asking why I would not have already found this passage on faith exciting. Well, I cannot answer that. I've always been excited about my faith. My biggest question for the "lose your salvation," Armenian sort is how on earth can you not believe God will complete what he started.

But because faith is just that, "faith," I don't really need such an uplifting passage to soothe my soul. But that has all changed tonight. Look what all God did to fulfill his promises before our age. I don't need physical kingdoms subdued or live lion's mouths stopped. I hope I am never stoned or sawed asunder.

But in the spiritual sense he has done all those same things for us. A few he has done physically for us. His only begotten Son did give his life for us. He had no ram in the thicket because he WAS that ram.

If that don't set you afire, your wood's wet.

But none of this is why I wrote this email.

I record Extreme Makeover Home Edition on the computer to watch later on my laptop. It comes on during the Sunday Evening service. I have oft told friends my favorite part of the show. It is not seeing all the cool carpentry and flat panel tv's. It's not the awesome demolitions that occur on most shows. Although, the house they blew up with nitro was pretty amazing.

My favorite part is seeing the reactions when they move the bus and show the family their new home.

At the beginning of the show Ty promises to build the home. All through the week they get updates of the progress. But it is at that exact moment that their "faith" is made "sight."

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...

It's great to have faith, but one day we won't need faith anymore. The families on that show know of the show's reputation. They have great expectations. But the looks on their faces reveal how better sight is than faith.
Don't call me a heretic. Here on earth we walk by faith, not by sight. But some glorious morning when God calls us home, when Christ proves that he is the "finisher" of our faith, when we see him for what he is, it is SIGHT that will cause us to sing that song of the redeemed.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Just as my elder friend, Bro Carlton won't need his cane, my crippled friend, Bro Jim won't need his chair, I won't need my faith.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Is your wood dry, yet? Are you about to call Bro Boruff and ask him how to have a Baptacostal runnin' fit?

If I ever wanted my little muses to mean something to somebody, it is now. This Bible study has done so much for me tonight. Writing this muse was a good vent, and caused further study.

I look forward to the moment we, as heavenly saints, finally see that which is promised. It will be worth it all. Pardon me while I sing one of my favorite songs: (written by a Baptist Preacher, too)

I'm looking now across that river
to where my faith is gonna end in sight.
There's just a few more days to labor,
Then I will take, my heavenly flight

Beulah Land I'm longing for you,
and someday on thee I'll stand.
There my home shall be eternal.
Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah land

Bro Ralph Fiscus

"What have you done today that only a Christian would do?" -anon