December 31 THE FINISHER OF OUR FAITH "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1, 2, NKJV). All too soon we have come to the final portrait of our precious Redeemer in a year-long tour of the art gallery of the Bible. On this memorable tour we have seen 365 exquisite portraits of Jesus. It is fitting that we conclude our tour by a look at the portrait of Christ as the "Finisher of Our Faith." Employing the imagery of a race, the apostle Paul counsels Christians to fix their eyes on Jesus who is both the author and finisher of our faith. Winning the race is dependent on focusing our attention on Jesus. Not to do so is a recipe for failure. Jesus the authentic gold medalist knows the race track perfectly and has mastered it. He stands at the tape cheering us on to the finish line. Our success in winning this race depends on fixing our eyes on Jesus from start to finish. As the author of our faith, Christ justifies us; as the finisher, or perfecter, of our faith, He sanctifies us daily and will finally glorify us. We must keep our eyes fastened on Jesus. May we never make the disastrous mistake of glancing at the cheering spectators or at our competitors. In the 1954 British Empire Games conducted in Vancouver, John Landy made the fatal mistake of glancing back for a split second to see how close his competitor, Roger Bannister, was behind him. In that fateful split second, Landy lost the race to Bannister. Never lose sight of Jesus. Fixing our eyes on Him, let us "go on to perfection" (Hebrews 6:1, NKJV). The good news is that all who win this race by grace become gold medalists! "We are to copy no human being. There is no human being wise enough to be our criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who is complete in the perfection of righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith."--Maranatha, p. 241. My Prayer Today: Lord, with my eyes fixed on the author and finisher of my faith, I await with joy the gold medal of immortality. Amen.