It all would be a moot point without decisive action. All the rich promises that extend to us today would amount to nothing had one man not stepped out in faith.
Genesis twelve records phenomenal promises made by God to a man named Abram, and to us: "I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:2-3). Abram, destined to be renamed Abraham, would be the father of the faithful. The amazing nation of Israel would come forth from him, and the Savior of all - Jesus the Christ - would be his descendant. The richest promises ever made by God were made to Abram, but based on one important condition: action. "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). To receive, Abram had first of all to go out.
You and I know the story: "So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran." (Genesis 12:4). We read these words in God's authoritative source book, the Bible, because Abram did as he was called to do.
I consider it a tremendous privilege to be associated with a body of believers who embrace the phrase, "Abrahamic Faith". Galatians 3:29 ties believers in Christ to the promises made to Abraham, as we read in Genesis 12 and other passages. The implications for resurrection, future reward on earth, and the nature of Abraham's descendant, Jesus, become abundantly clear in light of Galatians 3:29. But, like Abram, they are of little value unless acted upon in faith.
The faith of Abraham involves decisive action. Far be it that Abrahamic Faith be reduced to a mere theological distinctive. It involves embracing the promises, and stepping out in faithful action. It involves the risk of new land and territory - stepping out into the realm of nonbelievers who desperately need the gospel, and going forth in kingdom-enlarging ventures. It is allowing God to "bless the families of the earth" through us as we go out into the unknown in faith.
What is the venture of faith God is calling you to? What unknown is He calling you to, where His richest blessings await? The call to "Go forth" rings as loudly and clearly in our ears as it did with Abram. We know what his response was. What will yours be?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
Genesis twelve records phenomenal promises made by God to a man named Abram, and to us: "I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:2-3). Abram, destined to be renamed Abraham, would be the father of the faithful. The amazing nation of Israel would come forth from him, and the Savior of all - Jesus the Christ - would be his descendant. The richest promises ever made by God were made to Abram, but based on one important condition: action. "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). To receive, Abram had first of all to go out.
You and I know the story: "So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran." (Genesis 12:4). We read these words in God's authoritative source book, the Bible, because Abram did as he was called to do.
I consider it a tremendous privilege to be associated with a body of believers who embrace the phrase, "Abrahamic Faith". Galatians 3:29 ties believers in Christ to the promises made to Abraham, as we read in Genesis 12 and other passages. The implications for resurrection, future reward on earth, and the nature of Abraham's descendant, Jesus, become abundantly clear in light of Galatians 3:29. But, like Abram, they are of little value unless acted upon in faith.
The faith of Abraham involves decisive action. Far be it that Abrahamic Faith be reduced to a mere theological distinctive. It involves embracing the promises, and stepping out in faithful action. It involves the risk of new land and territory - stepping out into the realm of nonbelievers who desperately need the gospel, and going forth in kingdom-enlarging ventures. It is allowing God to "bless the families of the earth" through us as we go out into the unknown in faith.
What is the venture of faith God is calling you to? What unknown is He calling you to, where His richest blessings await? The call to "Go forth" rings as loudly and clearly in our ears as it did with Abram. We know what his response was. What will yours be?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:07 AM
1 Comments:
At 3:39 PM,
leonie Sargeant said…
I see that - like Abraham - all the 'faithful' are called. Unless GOD calls you you cannot be saved!I have been 'called' by the Father and have responded in faith to the way of salvation set out before me. Is this not how it is with every born-again child of GOD. How much have we to do with this call from GOD where even our faith is a gift from Him. When He does set us apart there is no refusing such Grace and mercy.
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