The first part of this “looking unto Jesus,” is about keeping our eyes on the one who loved us and gave himself for us. Too often, in the midst of trial or temptation, in the midst of burdens, worry etc., I find that I have lost the heavenly perspective. We are intended to live our lives in the awareness of His promise that He is always with us and will never to leave us, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The picture that I have of this, is of an artist painting a portrait of the king. He or she, would be constantly aware that he or she was in the presence of a great man. Clearly there is no one greater than our God, and as we learn over and over, to turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of earth will indeed grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.
And as part of the process of doing this, when we realize that He is both the author and the finisher of our faith, even of our faith, then we can learn to rest in His presence. He is the one who drew us to Himself in the first place (John 15:16). He is the one who sustains us, He is the one who is able to keep that which we committed unto Him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12), and He is the one who, having begun a good working us, will indeed bring it to completion on that day (Philippians 1:6)!
Lord Jesus, there is a mystery here! My tongue in cheek translation of Philippians 2:12, 13 is “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, because God does it all for you.” I mean You give us both the desire, and the wherewithal to do Your will. It sounds like nonsense to the world, but our primary part in working out our salvation, is to stay close to You, to turn our eyes upon You, and to fully and completely surrender moment by moment day by day. And we cannot do this without You, and so Lord You truly are the author and finisher of our faith. And I thank and praise You again this morning in Your precious Name Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment