Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Real "Abraham" Faith

S-Real "Abraham" Faith

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Freedom through Faith in Christ

L-Real Faith

       "In the same way, Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith. The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God." Galatians 3:6-7

He was 75 years old when the Lord called him, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you." Genesis 12:1

Faith and obedience is what was required. It's what is required from all of us.

What made Abraham's faith so real?

     He trusted God and went. He packed up his family and left the place and things he had known and had for years, and at 75 years old.

      Today most 75 year old's, let alone 50 plus year old's, wouldn't even consider leaving. I don't mean that harshly, even though it sounds that way, it's the truth. Though there are some who would and do, most don't. We can even see this in our younger generations today.

  We have become a people, that believe when we retire or reach a certain age in life, that we can stop serving, stop going, and that leaving our country, our relatives, and our father's house is no longer an option.

But how wrong is that mindset. God never says, "At this age you can stop serving Me." Let's not set that poor example for our younger generations.

Abraham is a testament to what real faith looks like.

Let's look at what real "Abraham" faith looks like.

1. At 75 Abraham left everything and went where God told him to. (Genesis 12)

2. At 99 years old, Abraham fulfilled is part of the agreement with God and was circumcised. (Genesis 17:9)

3. At 100 years old, after walking in faith and trusting that God would give him a child, Abraham became a father. (Genesis 21)

4. One of the biggest testaments to real faith, is when God told Abraham to take his only son-Isaac and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. (Genesis 22)

What happened in return to Abraham's faith? God blessed him richly. He became the father of a great nation. He became famous, and was a blessing to others. And, 'All the families of the earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:3

How are we blessed through Abraham?

Jesus! (Matthew 1:1-17)

Why was it so important for Paul to bring up Abraham?

Because it was Abraham's faith that saved him, not the law. "Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that-too many to count! And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith." Genesis 15:5-6

Therefore Paul was saying, "Don't you see that what these Judaizers are telling you is false? They are trying to persuade you and deceive you into believing that the only way you will ever be saved is by becoming like them, a Jew, who is in slavery to the law. And that is wrong. I have proof of that. Abraham was saved by faith. And you are saved today by your faith in Christ."

Brethren, do you have real "Abraham" faith?

Would you be willing, no matter what age, no matter what the call, to get up in faith and go?

Do you live by that faith or are you still trying to earn favor with God through your works?

S-Ask the Lord to reveal your true state of faith today. Share with someone where your faith is weak and ask them to pray and help encourage and hold you accountable.