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Looking unto 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.
Hebrews 12:2
It
is ever the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to
Jesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he is
constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He
insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you
do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you
have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of
Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find
comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our
eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that
"Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of
Christ that saves thee--it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that
saves thee--it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be
the instrument--it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not so
much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ;
look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to
thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall
never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our
feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the
soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it
must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on him; let his
death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be
fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when
thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears
come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never
fail thee.
"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name."
(C.H. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening)
