Focus: Qualities of Abraham's Faith (Pt.1)

Text: Heb.11:8

"By FAITH Abraham… OBEYED…"

Let's start from Genesis 12, for Abraham's history with God starts from there. Faith stems from, and is rooted in the God-encounter. According to Act.7:2, the God of glory appears to him, and that means that Abraham personally encountered God. And that is where and how faith is born or activated. Abraham SEES and HEARS from God, and as you well know, faith comes by hearing the word of God. By that singular encounter Abraham, an idol worshipper, is transformed into a man of faith and hope in the Almighty God. No one remains the same who has met with God. Your life is forever altered.

*Obedient faith

From the encounter Abraham receives instruction on what to do, and in verse 4 of Genesis 12, we read, "So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him." So Abraham ACTED on God's word. He complied. He obeyed.

*Believing faith

In Genesis 15, Abraham has a fresh encounter with God. In verse 6, we read, "And he BELIEVED in the LORD…" Meeting with God inspires faith. The word 'believed' is in Hebrew 'aman,' and which in English is 'amen.' Abraham AMEN-ed God. He leans, relies and rests on God. He rested on God's weight.

God's weight can conveniently and comfortably carry you all through life - from time to eternity. God is the bedrock of faith and the solid ground for a meaningful existence.

*Sojourning faith

In Hebrews 11:9, Abraham sojourns in the land of promise like a stranger, living in tents even when he could afford mansions on earth, and the reason given is that he saw a city already planned and built by God. Building another city is utterly needless. So he lives his life, looking forward to that beautiful and blissful city of God. He lived his life, being very mindful of God's eternity. He lived his whole life on earth under the rule of faith.

(To be continued)

by Bishop Moses E. Peter