Every Christian claims to have faith. But what is faith as defined in the bible? Biblical faith is when a person holds on persevering and enduring waiting patiently for God's promise. Biblical faith is NOT forcing God to make promises to him/her to fulfill the desires of their flesh.
Hebrews 6:13-15 For when God made [His] promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself, since He had no one greater by whom to swear,14 Saying, Blessing I certainly will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you.15 And so it was that he [Abraham], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained [in the birth of Isaac as a pledge of what was to come] what God had promised him.
God had made a promise to Abraham that God will multiply him in Genesis 17. God had made the covenant with him when he was 99 years old. But it was in Genesis chapter 15 in which Abraham told God that he had no child. But God told him to go outside and look and count the stars as such number will be his descendents. And when Abram believed, it as counted as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God).
Hebrews 11:8 [Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.9 [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise.10 For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.11 Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word.
In Genesis chapter 12, God told Abram to leave from his country and from his relatives and to a land God would show him. And God made a promise that He would make him a great nation. But this was first conditional Abram leaving his family and home. Many of us are called by God but it comes at a cost. It may cost us to leave our comfort zone and move forward with God's Word. Abram at first did not know where he was going. Abram was 75 years old when he was told to move. Many today will not even move for God when they are 40 years old. Abram had to move in faith. He did NOT move on his own saying, "I will go buy that nice house (land) and I have faith that God will pay for it." This is but testing God. Sometimes, God may give us what we want to believe with our own faith but He may answer it for His Name sake but we have tested God. Did God not give His people quail when they complained about not having meat? Yes, and He judged them as they were eating the meat. But Abram had faith when he reacted to God's Word to move. Abram moved as he had believed God would provide the provisions and protect him. Abram had biblical faith as he OBEYED God's Word. Faith is not speaking out into the physical realm that you will have a easy comfortable rich life because you speak it and want it! Biblical Faith calls you to DIE TO YOURSELVES so you may have RESURRECTION LIFE! The former is but the prosperity gospel. It is a "me" and "self" gospel. Yes, God desires and can give us nice things but only for the purposes of His Kingdom and only as we OBEY.
Today and many throughout history assume faith is just to go to church, singing some worship songs, pray a little, acknowledge God's existence, and acknowledge what He did at the cross. Yes, to believe what He did at the cross is the starting point but then our faith will be tested to be proved genuine. Yes, we could even be operating in the spiritual gifts.
Abraham was constantly tested during his journey. And even after he had Isaac, God had given him a BIG test. Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son. But Abraham had "saving faith". He had learned and experienced in his journey that God was and is FAITHFUL. God had told Abraham that his descendents would be numerous as the stars but yet God was telling Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Moreover, God was telling Abraham to offering Isaac as a BURNT OFFERING.
Genesis 22:1-2 After these events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. 2 [God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.
If today, God told YOU to offer your son or daughter as a burnt offering, DO YOU HAVE THE SAVING FAITH TO OBEY? This is a hard question. Do we really have biblical faith or are we chasing our own created faith thus producing our own self achieved righteousness?
Philippines 3:9 And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.
Abraham had obeyed because he FEARED God and he knew and believed in the promise. He was over 100 years old and God promised many descendents. If Isaac was to be sacrificed, some miracle had to come forth for the promise to be kept. Abraham had learned and experienced God's faithfulness and knew God could resurrect Isaac to keep the promise. Abraham had promptly obeyed. Do we have such faith to obey?
He had left his home, family, and land to follow God's Word. Are we really following the Word of God in our lives. Is the Word of God living in our lives? How have you fared as your faith was tested? Those who nonchalantly disobey God are those who do not really know HIM nor FEAR HIM. You must have Godly fear of HIM to have wisdom for that is the door to wisdom.
Genesis 22:12 (AMP) And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son.
May you all operate and come to the knowledge of true biblical SAVING FAITH.
Ephesians 6:16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
Fire of God Ministries International Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
January 21, 2013
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