Compass Keeper
I chose the title of this blog for two reasons. First, it alludes to Hebrews 12:1, which says that we are surrounded (ESV), or compassed about (KJV), by a cloud of witnesses. These are the witnesses from Hebrews 11—people of faith like Abraham and those who “suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment” for their faith (Heb. 11:36).
These witnesses (in Greek martus, or “martyrs”) leave for us a testimony that should affect the way you and I live. Hebrews 12:1 says, “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” (emphasis added). We are told to run a race, and not only to run a race, but to run with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says that we run “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” The Koran claims that Jesus is not the Son of God, did not die on the cross, and was not preexistent with God (see Unveiling Islam). The Bible, however, teaches that Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith, that He is God and was in the beginning with God (John 1:1-2), and that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). He is our compass. And this compass that guides us is the second reason behind my blog title.
I hope that you will journey with me, compassed about by witnesses and running toward Jesus, the compass, founder, and perfecter of our faith. Let us not grow weary or fainthearted.
For more information on Islam’s portrayal of Jesus, see Unveiling Islam: An Insider’s Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner.
These witnesses (in Greek martus, or “martyrs”) leave for us a testimony that should affect the way you and I live. Hebrews 12:1 says, “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” (emphasis added). We are told to run a race, and not only to run a race, but to run with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says that we run “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” The Koran claims that Jesus is not the Son of God, did not die on the cross, and was not preexistent with God (see Unveiling Islam). The Bible, however, teaches that Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith, that He is God and was in the beginning with God (John 1:1-2), and that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). He is our compass. And this compass that guides us is the second reason behind my blog title.
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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. --Hebrews 12:1-3
I hope that you will journey with me, compassed about by witnesses and running toward Jesus, the compass, founder, and perfecter of our faith. Let us not grow weary or fainthearted.
For more information on Islam’s portrayal of Jesus, see Unveiling Islam: An Insider’s Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner.