Even More on the Source of Faith

October 15

Bob Hoekstra

Jesus Christ, the faithful witness . . . the Faithful and True Witness . . . And He . . . was called Faithful and True.  (Rev_1:5; Rev_3:14; and Rev_19:11)
Faith comes into our lives through the work of Jesus Christ: "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb_12:2). When the name of the Lord is revealed to us (that is, an understanding of who Jesus is and what He is able to do), faith develops in our hearts. "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong . . . Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness" (Act_3:16). We grasp to some degree how great He is, so we trust Him to do great things. Thereby, faith comes into our spiritual experience through Him. Our present verses are related to this development of faith, for they depict Jesus as faithful and true.
He is the reliable witness, who tells us the truth: "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness . . . the Faithful and True Witness . . . And He . . . was called Faithful and True." A witness gives a first-hand report of what he has observed, heard, or experienced. Jesus is the reliable witness of things that He is truly informed about, things that we are fully in need of knowing. He tells us about the kingdom of heaven. "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mat_18:3). He warns us about the judgment of hell. "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Mat_13:49-50).
He also tells us about the heavenly Father. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Mat_7:11). He warns us about the "father of lies." "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44). He tells us what true living is all about. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (Joh_17:3). We have faith in Him and all that He bears witness to, because He is "the Faithful and True Witness."
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for being a fully reliable witness. I trust in You because You are faithful and true. Your trustworthy witness has rescued me from hell and headed me toward heaven, protected me from the father of lies and made me a child of the heavenly Father. Your witness has brought me to life everlasting. I praise You with unending gratitude!