Bible Truth #92 - Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2

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.

Hmmm, I don’t see in that verse anywhere the Elect doing something before God saves them. Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, the SOLE author and perfecter of our faith. It doesn’t say Jesus, with our help, or with our cooperation, or with our acceptance, was the author and perfecter of our faith. We didn’t ask for it (we were unable), we didn’t earn it because we couldn’t please God (Romans 8:8) and we didn’t have it until God gave it to us as a free gift (without asking us if we wanted it). Jesus is the author of our faith and perfected it (completed it) and we did nothing to get it. God simply chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), and then at a specific point in our lives, He saved us, (converted us, regenerated us, quickened our dead spirit) through faith, the faith that He gives us (Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8). God simultaneously gives us belief (John 6:29; Philippians 1:29), and repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). THEREBY we were enabled by God (John 6:65) to come to Christ - and that too was a done deal (John 6:37), those given to Jesus by the Father WILL come.

The Christian who believes in free will may keep saying or thinking, “That’s wrong, ‘whosoever will believe’ means whoever.” Absolutely! The question is, “Who will?” The answer - Only the Elect, those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

Example:

You’re watching a football game between the Cardinals and the Eagles. You say to someone who is learning about the game, whosoever is wearing a red uniform IS one of the Cardinals, and whosoever is wearing a green uniform IS one of the Eagles.

Now ask yourself - who will wear a red uniform? Answer - ONLY a Cardinal! Who will wear a green uniform? Answer - ONLY an Eagle!

Everyone who believes in Him has eternal life - fact. They’re one of the Elect.

Whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life - fact. They’re one of the Elect.

Whosoever believes in Him is not condemned - fact. They’re one of the Elect.

Now ask yourself - Who will believe in Jesus? Answer - ONLY a Christian! ONLY One of the Elect. ONLY those whom God has chosen! Why? Because a lost person HATES GOD (John 3:20) and will not believe! He can do ONLY evil continually (Genesis 6:5). A man who can do ONLY evil continually will not believe (unless you consider “believing in Jesus” an act of evil). Would a lost person who believes in Jesus and accepts Him as their Savior be pleasing to God? If you think yes, then you don’t believe God’s Word that says the lost man can NOT please God (Romans 8:8). The Arminian (and anyone who believes in decisional salvation) is wrong in assuming that ANYONE can believe. Only those whom God gives faith will be saved because He uses faith to quicken a dead spirit much like you would use a key to start a car (Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8). Not everyone has faith (2 Thessalonians 3:2). When God quickens the dead spirit in a man He simultaneously gives him belief (John 6:29; Philippians 1:29), and repentance (2 Timothy 2:25).

Bottom Line - Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we had nothing to do with it.