4/12/2007
The Faith of Abraham
“THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM”A very large number of people claim to be saved by “faith only.” They sincerely believe that salvation is in Christ separate and apart from any act of obedience on the part of the believer. They pride themselves on being saved by faith “like Abraham.”Romans 4:3 does indeed say “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” It does not say that Abraham was accounted righteous apart from the will of God.
Romans 4:16 speaks of “the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” How- ever, there is a key verse that sheds light on how we are justified by faith as Abraham was. Romans 4:12, speaks of those “who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham.” If you wish to claim to have “Abrahamic faith”, be sure you are willing to walk in the steps of that faith.
Abraham’s faith was strong enough that when called upon to offer his son Isaac on an altar. He arose early in the morning and made his way to the mount where God told him to go to make the sacrifice of his son.
Can you possibly imagine someone’s claiming to have the kind of faith Abraham had and yet refuses to do what God commands. Would you dare say, “If God told me to offer my only son on an altar and take his life, I would do it. But, if God tells me to be baptized for the remission of my sins I am not about to do that”?
James writes that Abraham was justified by works when he offered his son upon the altar. True faith puts one’s absolute trust in God. We do not trust our own devices but humbly accept whatever God says do.
Lewis G. Hale