Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking 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 12:1-2 ESV)
The song playing in my car[1] quoted a line of Scripture that spoke straight to my heart. The verse was Hebrews 12:1-2. This Bible verse refers to Jesus as the “author and perfecter of our faith.”[2]
What Is Faith?
Our faith is our belief in God. It’s our confidence in who he is and what he says. The Bible says elsewhere that our faith is exceedingly precious to God (1 Peter 1:7). It’s what matters most about us (1 Thessalonians 3:5; Hebrews 11:6). The entire Christian life is described as a “life of faith” (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus Is the Author of Faith
The new life and eternal life God gives starts with faith (John 3:16). The Bible explains that though we respond to God’s message of salvation consciously with repentance and faith, this change of heart and faith is a work of God in us (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is a gift that God gives us. We understand this from many passages in the Bible, but Hebrews 12 also affirms this when it calls Jesus the “author” of our faith—the one who began our faith.
Our belief in Jesus did not originate in our making an informed decision. It originated with the Holy Spirit igniting faith in our hearts when we heard the message of good news about him (Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 2:12).
Often, after believing in Jesus and beginning our life of faith, we become concerned over our faith, especially in hard times. We know that our faith is tested by the trials that we endure (James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Sometimes our faith feels nearly snuffed out. Sometimes it feels frail or frayed. And so, it’s easy to become anxious over our own estimation of our trust in God—or lack of it.
But this verse in Hebrews speaks to us a relieving Word.
Jesus Is the Perfecter of Faith
Notice that it describes Jesus as the “perfecter” of our faith. Just as faith was Jesus’s gift to us in the first place, so it continues to be. We are told to “work out our own salvation” and that the work God requires of us is to believe (Philippians 2:12; John 6:29). Yes, we are responsible for trusting Jesus and persevering in belief.
But at the same time, what a comfort to know that Jesus identifies himself as the “perfecter” of our faith. That indicates he is working on our faith. He’s working to make it more perfect. Jesus is working in your life to perfect your trust in him and in his Word.
If you belong to Jesus Christ by faith, then today, in whatever season you find yourself, whatever circumstances or state of mind, Jesus is at work to perfect your faith in him.
Jesus Is at Work to Perfect Your Faith
Isn’t that wonderful?! Your faith is not entirely yours to cultivate, sustain, and increase. It’s Jesus’s responsibility—which he joyfully has taken upon himself—to perfect your faith in him. He wants you to have a clear vision of what he’s like. He wants you to be certain of his character. He wants you to trust him when trials come. He wants you to rely on him more consistently. And he is working to make those things happen in your life.
Consider asking him to reveal to you how he is at work to grow your trust in him. Join him in his work—look over his shoulder, so to speak, at what he’s doing with your own heart. Ask him, through his Word, to reveal to you how he wants to perfect your trust in who he is.
And then rest your head upon the eternal, unwavering truth of Philippians 1:6: “And I [Paul] am sure of this, that he who began in a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Amen.
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Sources
[1] “Better Story” by Erik Nieder
[2] The phrase “author and perfector” appears both in the 1995 NASB and the 1984 NIV translation. See https://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-2.htm