“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
If you are going to run the race of living a life of faith to the very end, you must keep your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith. Who is the one who gave you faith? Jesus. Who is the one who can perfect your faith? Jesus.
How do we “look to Jesus” as we run the race of a life of faith? In this mini-series of the race, we have learned that we must first be saved, then we must give our lives unreservedly to Christ, and then we run the race of living our lives for Christ for as many years as he gives us by looking to Jesus.
I have learned that the best way to look to Jesus is to read the Bible. It’s in the Bible that I learn about Jesus. It’s in the Bible where I learn to know Jesus and how to live with him eternally (John 17:3).
There are many ways to read the Bible. You can read it straight through. You can read it chronologically, and you can read it topically. I have found that it is best to read the Bible taking the time to study it as I go using all these methods. And the more I read the Bible the more I want to read it!
No doubt we all begin our day by studying the Bible alone. Some call this “my quiet time” and we start the day with Bible study and prayer. Personally, I read a passage (sometimes using a devotional—my current one is Come to the Waters by James Montgomery Boice. This one goes through the entire Bible in one year.).
After prayer, I read a chapter in one of the commentaries that we suggest reading along with the Rafiki Bible Study. If I have time, I listen to Renewing your Mind by R.C. Sproul or The Bible Study Hour by James Montgomery Boice on my computer.
You will have your own method of personal study.
For group Bible study, besides going to a good church where the Bible is read and taught, I suggest that you lead or go to a Rafiki Bible Study (RBS) group. It is the best group Bible study available. You knew I would say that, didn’t you? But I can say it is the best Bible study because I did not write it! But I know the 18 theologians who did—all 66 books! Check it out on Rafiki’s website (www.rafikifoundation.org).
In order to run the race “looking to Jesus” you will need to “see” him in the Bible. He will perfect your faith. Paul promised the saints in Philippi that he was sure “that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
You can be sure that when you run the race looking unto Jesus, you will complete your race triumphantly.
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