Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. [Hebrews 12.1-2]
I am going to 'cut across the grain' of a popular phrase among some groups of believers. In fact, I am going to argue that faith is not "the servant of the believer," but instead point out that the Bible teaches that the believer is the servant of faith!
For all of Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter) that precedes Hebrews 12.1-2, I read there that the "faith people" mentioned are presented as obedient and patient. They obeyed God. Faith is that measure of God in every person:
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. [Romans 12.3 NKJV]
Hebrews 11 further reveals that faith is not an exercise of will, but rather, an exercise of obedience and submission. (Read it until you see it - it is there!)
Jesus was the perfect example of a man (the Son of Man as He referred to Himself) obeying faith. We see over and again that Jesus went where He was "led" and performed miracles when He got there.
So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. [John 5.19]
It is of paramount importance to understand that Jesus refused to perform miracles "on human demand" when the religious leaders demanded a miracle (sign) from Him. This was also seen at the onset of His ministry when Satan tempted Him! Faith belongs to no man (including the Son of Man) to do his own will! Faith has a will of it's own - God's perfect will as it is in heaven - and will not be anything but obeyed! This relieves all the questions regarding Jesus obeying the prompting of faith to the suffering of the Cross and those faithful ones in Hebrews 11 who suffered "refusing to turn from God" (Hebrews 11.35).
Now, here is where is really gets even better.
The activation of faith (how it comes) is by God's Word.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [Romans 10.17 NKJV]
Let's look at that same verse in the New Living Translation:
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. [Romans 10.17 NLT]
Then look again at our opening verse (Hebrews 12.1-2 above): ...And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith...
Jesus, God's Word, initiates and perfects our faith. And He did that not by lording it over faith, but by obeying the leading of faith! Practically speaking, the power of God is much easier for man to realize when he submits to faith instead of trying to make faith submit to him! Think about it. After all it IS God's will we are after, right? Right?
Let me explain how this all came to my attention. 2 Thessalonians 1.11-12 has been a prayer focal point for me now for some time. I pray these verses over myself and others with regularity. Here it is in the New King James Version:
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Thessalonians 1.11-12 NKJV]
But look how the NKJV is clarified in the NLT:
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. [2 Thessalonians 1.11-12 NLT]
Look closely at verse 11: May he [God] give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do... Focus on the good things your faith prompts you to do... There it is! Paul makes it clear that faith does not follow our prompting, but we follow the prompting of faith!
So this makes it clear why we need God's Word and prayer. God's Word (personified in Christ) and prayer (coming into God's presence) through the work of the Holy Spirit provide the platform from which faith prompts us to the works God has empowered us to do. My will has nothing to do with it.
Consider this: Why do you think the unction of the Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to refer to God's Word as a sword, but faith as a shield? If faith is the believer's servant, shouldn't faith be the sword (wielded at the believer's discretion)? Let's go back to Jesus' Temptation... Jesus used God's Word as His weapon against Satan but refused to perform a miracle at Satan's prompting. Sadly today, we have this just backwards - we go on our offensive with our faith, then try to hide behind God's Word when all hell is unleashed against us. Is it any wonder that the Church today actually looks very little like Christ in power and ministry?
Faith is God's will. Nothing but faith pleases God. Faith then, is to be obeyed.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. [Hebrews 11.6a]
Father, help the Church to understand that faith is to be obeyed - not commanded. Help the Church to understand that our will has nothing to do with it, but our lives exist only for Your will. Help us to understand that Your Word and prayer are the work of the Holy Spirit to help us see, understand, and follow the promptings of faith so that we might please you and glorify Jesus.
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