“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” (Heb. 12:2).
We need to understand that we all have a different race that is set before us. That means my race is not your race to run and your race is not my race to run. Whatever is set before you, God expects you to win over it, because He has given you the tools to win.
Whatever you have to do is your race. So there is no sense in you complaining about it. And don’t look at someone else’s race either and say their race is easier than yours. They’re not going to get your blessing. The only person God tells us to look unto is Jesus.
We are to consider Jesus because He’s the example of how to run a race. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He’s the one who puts us in the race and on the right course. He’s the one speaking to us by the Holy Ghost about what weights to drop and what sin to cut.
The reason we are told to consider Jesus is that He ran the race that was set before Him. Notice the Scripture didn’t tell us to consider Christ. Why not? It’s because Jesus is the name of His humanity; Christ refers to His deity.
We must look to Jesus, a man like you and me, wrapped in human flesh, and tempted in all points like we are. All He had available to Him was the Word and the anointing of God just like we do. We can then watch how He overcame every temptation, test, and trial as a man – and follow Him.
Clearly, we can’t compare ourselves to God, but we can compare ourselves to a man anointed by God. The same anointing that was on Jesus is on us. He spoke the same Word of God from the scrolls that you and I have now, known as the Bible. Jesus had to learn and study the Scripture just like we do.
So Jesus is our everlasting example. He walked this earth as a man who was anointed, spoke the Word, and who walked in faith. If we consider Jesus, and act like Him, the devil will never be able to stop us.
Remember, no one else is your example but Jesus – He’s the one who is going to develop and finish your faith.
Scripture References: Hebrews 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).