JESUS CHRIST - AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF THE FAITH, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
We hold a great Book in our hands whose author is God, and which is the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to John 1:1-3 we find “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
This book is unique because it is written in Heaven and copied by prophets on earth under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
Looking at the dictionary definition of author, we find,
1. “the writer of a literary work (such as a book)
a famous author”
2. one that originates or creates something
The Author and Finisher of our Faith is BOTH the writer of this Book and also the Creator of the Earth.
He became the FINISHER of our Faith on the cross when He at last exclaimed, “It is Finished!” Remember? “30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 1930 That exclamation thunders down the annals and corridors of all eternity past, present and future. It was the seal of the plan of God for the salvation of His elect people from the Fall of Adam to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and to those of us who were called to life in the New Testament promise fulfilled in Christ our Lord while we were yet dead in trespasses and sin, but were made alive (quickened) by the Holy Spirit of God. (see Ephesians 2:1-6):
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even bwhen we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
We often hear that salvation is a free gift, and so it is to the recipient of so great a blessing, but please consider the infinite immensity that our salvation cost both the Father and the Son. Our salvation came at enormous cost – a cost beyond any human measure to repay.
We must not view our gift of salvation in the same sense as that of the unforgiving servant who was forgiven such an unbearable burden of debt by the king that no man could have repaid; however, he was forgiven that enormous debt and immediately went out and found a man who owed him a small sum which he could not immediately repay. The unforgiving servant then had the man arrested and thrown into prison. When the king learned of this unscrupulous act, he had the unforgiving servant thrown in prison until he could repay his enormous debt. Of course, he never could have done so from behind the bars of the prison dungeon.
During those unbearable hours that our Lord suffered on the cross, His mind was upon you and me and our salvation. We are told in Isaiah 49:15-16 that He has graven (cut) our names in the palms of His hands:
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, Yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; Thy walls are continually before me.” He watches over His elect, not merely frequently, but CONTINUALLY. Is that not a comforting satisfaction to know?
