Upper Loft Meditation - Hebrews 12

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2

Why is the care of our faith so very important? It is a gift we have received from God. It is through faith that we will receive blessing, hope, and our eternal inheritance.

Faith requires care and feeding. Faith is like a present that must be unwrapped and put to good use. If our faith is not nurtured, it will start to shrink like a muscle. Our faith must be exercised.

The writer in Hebrews 12 exhorts us to look intently on Jesus. He is the author and founder of our faith. He is the perfecter of our faith. Jesus lived his life by faith from the very beginning, from going to the temple to dialogue wiht the religious elite to going to the cross on our behalf.

What is fantastic about this perspective is that Jesus lived his life fully by faith. He is a model of faith. “One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.” (Heb. 4:15) Thayer speaks of Jesus as “one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.” (Wuest)

As you look at Jesus, in what way is He modeling faith for you today? If you do not know, ask Jesus to show you how you can exercise your faith today.

Upper Loft Meditation - Romans 5

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” - Romans 5:1-5

It is sealed, closed, and completed.  “We have been justified by faith”.  We, therefore, “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1)  Then Paul says (5) this hope that we have will not put us to shame.  This is a strong word here.  We wouldn’t be embarrassed.  Why?  Because, we know and continue to experience the love of God in our mind and in our heart.  The love of God in our heart is a confirmation of the hope we hold.

The experience and knowledge of God’s love is facilitated in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  God wants His people to be confident about the certainty of our hope.

Notice that Paul does not say “God has given us his love.”  He uses the word “poured out”.  It conveys the idea of a gushing overflow that cannot be contained.  This is not dependent on your love for God.  It is God’s initiative and gift of love for you.  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Have you ever stood under a waterfall?  The water keeps coming and coming.  “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)