Lesson 4Is Your Faith in Action? |
So far, we have seen how these people in Hebrews 11 have trusted God and with this trust they performed all that was asked of them. Therefore, as we get ready to look at Abraham we will read about the third stage, which is the promise completed stage. Before we move into our study of Abraham, please read Hebrews 11:8 – 19. In these verses, we learn that Abraham is different from those that came before him, in that they were able see the promises that God made with them. Abraham was not able to see all that was promised to him. As we read in Hebrews 11:13 – 15, neither he nor Isaac nor Jacob saw the promise. Yet they walked with the confidence and trust to move their families, to believe, and to live by the promise. What are you telling your family about the promises that God has made to you? Are you moving toward that promise? Remember that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could have returned to their homeland at any time.
Let us examine Abraham who was called Abram. Abram was of the seed of Terah, which makes him the tenth removed from Noah. There are important points that need to be emphasized when it comes to Abram. According to Jewish oral tradition, which was written by Josephus in his works, he states about Abram:
- “…he determined to renew and change the opinion all men happened then to have concerning God; for he was the first that ventured to publish this notion,
that there was but one God, the Creator of the universe; and that, as to other [gods], if they contributed anything to the happiness of men, that each of them afforded it only according to his
appointment, and not by their own power. (156) This opinion was derived from the irregular phenomena that were visible both at land and sea, as well as those that happen to the sun, and moon,
and all the heavenly bodies, thus “If [said he] these bodies had power of their own, they would certainly take care of their own regular motions; but since they do not preserve such regularity,
they make it plain, that in so far as they cooperate to our advantage, they do it not of their own abilities, but as they are subservient to Him that commands them, to whom alone we ought justly to offer
our honor and thanksgiving.” [Antiquities 1.6.5 The New Complete Works of Josephus]
Remember that we are studying Hebrews 11 to examine those people who put their faith into action. However, do you know why the book of Hebrews was written and to whom it was written? The whole book of Hebrews was written to encourage believers to hold on to their faith during times of ongoing persecution. In fact, stop and read Hebrews 10:19 – 39; remember that Jesus said that we would be persecuted for righteousness sake and people would say all kinds of evil and lies about you. Why am I saying this now in this study? It is at this point we read and know that Abram had to stand up against his family and friends in seeking the truth about God and his life. Are you going to stand for what you know to be the truth? Or are you going to ignore the truth and God’s promise to you, so that you can get along with the world?
There are some who think that living and walking this path of faith is easy. Well Abram is an example of how we grow into this life of faith. Before you say, “then I have some time to find and put my faith into action!” Remember that Abram was looking for God before he is called the “Father of faith”. Also, remember he stepped out on the knowledge of God before he saw God work in his life. In Hebrews 11:8, we are told that by faith Abraham (Abram) went into a place that he would receive as an inheritance. However, remember that he was coming out of a family that had other gods, as we read in The New Complete Works of Josephus. So please go read the life of Abraham (Abram) from Genesis 12 through Genesis 25:11. As you read this you find a man that at times has troubles with his faith, but at NO TIME turns back to the other gods of his family. Why is this so important? Because we sometimes want to go back to our old ways when we face hard and confusing times in our lives. Remember Abraham was placed in this chapter to help us with our walk of faith as we move toward God’s plan for our life.
In these chapters, Genesis 12 – 25:11, you find Abraham dealing with fear, uncertainty with his life and the promises made to him from God. Nevertheless, you also see him growing in his faith and trust in God to do some bold actions in his life so that others will see. Are you ready for others to see God working in your life? Looking at Abraham’s life, which stage are you at in this walk of faith?
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