Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…

Hebrews 12:2

Some of the most hurtful words spoken to someone who believes in healing when the healing hasn’t manifested are – “you don’t have enough faith.”  I know people who have been terribly shamed by this including me.

When I heard these words, I did what some teachers of divine healing recommend. I began to build my faith, which put my focus on me and what I was doing or not doing. Since I had no way to measure my faith, it was a very frustrating experience. I found myself coming to God’s word not so much to know Him better but to get what I needed and wanted from Him through my faith-building exercises. This became a works-based journey for me.

If Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith, then it seems to me that my focus needs to be on Him, rather than on my faith and ability or lack of ability to build it up. He is the one who perfects my faith. By keeping my focus on Him, I can trust Him to build up my faith and to finish my faith.

The disciples’ faith was built by hanging out with Jesus, by watching how He brought the kingdom of God to earth. Their faith wasn’t built overnight, but it grew to the point where He could pass His earthly ministry over to them. What could happen to our faith if we simply spent time keeping our eyes on Jesus and allowing Him to perfect our faith?

This is from Joseph Prince:

“If you are sick, you must know that you are already healed because of the finished work of Christ. Don’t ask, “Do I have enough faith to be healed? Do I have the right kind of faith to be healed? What if I am lacking in faith? You are focusing on yourself and your faith, instead of Christ and His finished work.”

I could not have said it better!

Thank You Father for sending Jesus to show us Your heart of compassion for us. I am so grateful that my healing doesn’t rest on my ability to build faith but on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. You freely give, help me to freely receive. In Jesus’s name, I pray, amen.