ENCOURAGING BELIEVERS TO THINK & THINKERS TO BELIEVE!

What About Faithful Abraham?

To really understand, let's go back to the beginning.

Let's get the true picture of God's dealing with man!

Many assume, first of all, that law did not come until Abraham, the "father of the faithful."

Notice, now, the fascinating -- and vitally important -- example of the patriarch Abraham, to whom the promises were made!

Was Abraham under grace?

Did Abraham obey God's Law?

You have probably read what the apostle Paul wrote about Abraham: "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4.1-3).

Further: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness" (verses 4-5).

Notice! Abraham was a man of faith.

He believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

Abraham did not receive the promises, including the promise of salvation, by works.

What the apostle Paul means by "works" will be made plain later.

Abraham did not earn salvation -- or the promises!

They were given to him by God!

Does this mean, therefore, that Abraham did not have to obey God?

Does it mean, more importantly, that we do not have to obey God today?

Turn to the book of James.

Let's notice what the apostle James tells us about faithful Abraham.

James relates, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" (James 2:21).

Wait a minute!

Doesn't that sound like a contradiction?

Let's read on: "Seest thou how faith" -- now he mentions "faith" -- "wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (Verse 22).

How about that?

James shows us that faith works together with works!

This is no contradiction!

He continues: "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it 4 was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:23-24).

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (verse 26).

Abraham did not "earn" the promises.

And no Christian can ever "earn" salvation!

No one can ever "earn" salvation!

It is not something which we receive as a result of all our deeds and works.

Yet most people believe their faith earns them salvation

It isn't your faith that gives you eternal life.alone," wrote James (verse 17).

How clear!

Faith and works, said James under inspiration, go hand-in-hand!

God tested Abraham's faith by his obedience -- his works.

Abraham met the test without flinching and dauntless courage.

After showing God his willingness to obey, even if it required the life of his own son, Isaac, God confirmed the promises He had made to Abraham.

Why?

"Because that thou hast obeyed my voice" (Gen.22:18).

Abraham not only had faith in God -- but by faith he OBEYED his Creator!

His faith went hand in hand with obedience!

God later told Isaac why Abraham was blessed: "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws" (Gen.26:5).

How plain!

God's spiritual Law was in force in the days of Abraham -- long, long before Moses!

Abraham obeyed God.

That's what your Bible says!

By faith he accepted Gods promises -- as a gift.

God did not owe Abraham the promises.

He gave the promises to him because Abraham was willing to obey!

Abraham did not "earn" them by his works!

Nevertheless, unless he had demonstrated his willingness to obey God, through his works, he would not have had the promises given him.

But the fact that Abraham's obedience was involved did not earn him salvation!

The promises came freely through God’s grace, “not of works, lest any man should boast" through God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But works were involved.

Does this sound contradictory?

Christ's faith in us is a gift.

We do not receive it because of all our works.

All one's good deeds cannot save anyone.

God gives it because of His merciful pardon and grace -- not because of works at all! James said, "Faith without works is dead, being alone."

God's grace alone, by itself, will not save us, since God will not give His grace to a person who refuses to obey, who rebels against Him.

Do we get the point?

Grace is simply free, undeserved, unmerited, pardon or forgiveness.

God gives us grace when He forgives us our sins.

But unless we are willing to obey God, and stop sinning, we will lose that forgiveness or grace.

But the fact that Abraham's obedience was involved did not earn him salvation!

Read the very next verse: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

There you are!

Faith withOUTworks is dead -- a dead, useless faith.

There are works involved!

But these works, of themselves, do not earn us salvation -- they merely demonstrate our willingness to obey Him and be submissive to His government!

God will not give salvation to any soul that He cannot govern!

Before God will give us His promises, we must prove our willingness to obey Him, even as Abraham did, to the very end!

There are conditions involved.

These conditions involve repentance, faith, surrender and submission to God -- as well as the condition of obedience to His authority!

But these conditions do not earn salvation. They are the conditions God sets in order that He can give you eternal life.