The Faith to Finish Well
26 January 2012
By Rosemary Sabatino: When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8b
Don’t start anything you can’t finish and always finish what you start. These words from my mother come to mind so often. They’re good advice for temporal tasks but, when it comes to doing and finishing the will of God in our lives, we need more than human will-power. We need faith that produces supernatural endurance – the faith to finish well. For the word tells us do not cast away your confidence (fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness and assurance), which has great reward. For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But, my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back my soul has no pleasure in him (Hebrews 10:35-39 NAS Amplified).
The word endurance in this passage is translated from the Greek word hupomone which means patient, enduring, sustaining perseverance. Strong further defines it as the characteristic of a man not swerved from his purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety even in the greatest trials and suffering. If you are thinking that this kind of endurance sounds super-human, you are absolutely right. The author of Hebrews uses the verb form of this very word to describe our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2 NAS). This is the very characteristic produced by the kind of faith that God rewards; a faith that yields obedience to the call and will of God.
In Hebrews chapter eleven the Lord encourages us with a litany of characters whose response of obedience gives testimony to the type of faith that pleases God?, a willing trust that obeys regardless of the consequences. As we read through the list of “Heroes of the Faith” I’m sure our heart’s cry is the same as thousands of followers of Jesus Christ? that whether He comes for us or takes us home we would be found faithful, for to be found faithful is to finish well.
Thank the Lord that He has given us a prescription to enable us to do just that? Finish well: …since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author (chief, leader, and originator) and finisher of (one who has completed, left nothing wanting, and perfected) our faith,… (Hebrews 12:1,2a NKJ Amplified). The very One whose perfect faith caused Him to endure to the uttermost lives in us, and, as we are willing to lay all at His feet and trust Him, we will experience His power to persevere.
As we take a look at this quarter’s topic, Project Development, it is quite evident that the faith which produces perseverance and endurance is the key ingredient needed if the calling and vision God has given us is to come to fruition. In her article, Fulfilling His Vision, Denise McCarthy encourages us to put feet to our faith as we step-by-step depend on the Lord to lead. Then, Alfons van der Galien, of South Africa, shares his Lessons Learned at the Rehoboth Children’s Village in an easy-to-remember proverbial style that will help us to persevere towards Godly excellence in Project Management for a long time. Finally, in the Caregivers Corner, Graham Bee re¬minds us that, as we run … the race, we are in a marathon not a sprint and he addresses the importance of Preparing a Fire Plan.
Ultimately, remember that the most important project the Lord is working on in your life is YOU. For He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6) so that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
Praise the Lord! For He is the author, sustainer and completer of our faith: the foundation that brings us to the finish line.
