“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
It seems my life of faith in Jesus must be now full of happiness with no reason for sadness. If I said that, I would be deceiving you. Truthfully, the journey of sanctification is a long road, full of twists and turns, winding uphill and down. I would love to say that deep at the bottom of my heart I have only peace in the hope of eternal life. Unfortunately, while I am at rest in Jesus Christ, there still are struggles of discouragement, doubt, and fear.
Plenty of cultural pressures could cripple a faith like mine, but I hang on to Jesus, my “hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). I know Jesus is the light, the resurrection and life, the truth, and the way. There was a great cost for me to forsake the Buddhist faith I had grown up in. Even today into my old age there are some friends and family members who keep me at arm’s length.
But “I press on to take hold of Christ” (Philippians 3:12) who paid the greatest cost to redeem me, to endure God’s wrath for my sin, and to make me a new man.
Plenty of cultural pressures could cripple a faith like mine, but I hang on to Jesus, my “hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). I know Jesus is the light, the resurrection and life, the truth, and the way. There was a great cost for me to forsake the Buddhist faith I had grown up in. Even today into my old age there are some friends and family members who keep me at arm’s length.
But “I press on to take hold of Christ” (Philippians 3:12) who paid the greatest cost to redeem me, to endure God’s wrath for my sin, and to make me a new man.
Scripture Focus
Philippians 3:7-14
Insight
“All the way my Savior leads me,/ What have I to ask beside?/ Can I doubt His tender mercy,/ Who through life has been my Guide?” (Fanny Crosby, 1875)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Chronicles 10-11
- Proverbs 29
- Revelation 13-14
