The Faith of Abraham

 

What was so special about the faith of Abraham? In what ways did Abraham demonstrate his faith, and what lessons can we learn from the father of the faithful?

Abraham: a man of faith

The apostle Paul wrote about Abraham’s faith in Romans 4:3: “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness’” (emphasis added throughout).

Paul was quoting from Genesis 15:6. What example of Abraham’s faith was Paul referring to?

A profound example of the faith of Abraham

The answer is in Genesis 15:4-6: “And behold, the word of the LORD came to him [Abraham], saying, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.’ Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

This extraordinary, unwavering belief that Abraham had in God’s power and promises was what Paul recounted.

“Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:18-21).

Paul noted that Abraham’s belief was unhampered by the fact that he was almost a hundred years old; he was not weak in faith. He was strong in faith.

What is faith? Faith is a deep conviction that God’s words are true and that God will perform all that He promises. Abraham simply believed that God would do what He said.

Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing is impossible for God. That is an example for all of us today, that our faith should be strong in God.

An earlier example of Abraham’s faith

“Now the LORD had said to Abram, ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great. …’ So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:1-2, 4).

Hebrews 11, the Faith Chapter, tells us what was so extraordinary about this departure: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

Abraham departed, and he trusted and believed God that He would guide him and his family into uncharted territory. There was no questioning and no wavering! He showed his faith by departing. This was a profound act of faith.

(For more insight on maintaining faith in uncertain times, read our blog post “What Does ‘Walk by Faith, Not by Sight’ Mean?”)

The faith of Abraham continued

After Abraham came into the land of Canaan, he continued to be a stranger and a pilgrim in that foreign land. But he believed God, who had promised that one day he and his descendants would inherit that land.

We, too, live our lives as strangers and pilgrims on this earth, waiting with patience and faith for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth, ruling from Jerusalem.Genesis 13:14-17 records that promise to Abraham: “And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: ‘Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and width, for I give it to you.’”

Looking for a city whose builder and maker is God

In addition to appreciating the promised blessing of land for his descendants, Abraham grew in his faith toward God and personally anticipated a spiritual reward.

Hebrews 11:9-10 records this process: “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Abraham (along with other people of faith) anticipated a permanent city and country to come: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. … But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).

We, too, live our lives as strangers and pilgrims on this earth, waiting with patience and faith for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth, ruling from Jerusalem. We, too, are sojourners, desiring a better heavenly country—a country that is coming in the future.

How did Abraham prove his faith in God?

Abraham’s faith was tested again, in the most challenging way. Hebrews 11:17 relates the supreme test of Abraham’s faith: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”

Abraham believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead, if God had not spared Isaac’s life (Genesis 22).

Abraham must have believed that God had a very good reason for asking him to sacrifice Isaac, and that somehow Isaac would have to be raised from the dead to fulfill the promises God had made concerning him.

Abraham’s willingness to give up his son was a type of God the Father’s willingness to give His only begotten Son (Christ) as a sacrifice. We who are of the faith of Abraham must also believe that God can resurrect the dead.

Lessons from the faith of Abraham

Since Abraham’s faith is so often mentioned in the Bible, there are many lessons we can learn.

First of all, Abraham was justified by faith. God has ordained that all should be justified by faith. That means we are declared blameless in His sight by the blood of the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ and by faith in God.

The father of faith

In explaining the significance of the righteousness of faith, Paul also acknowledged Abraham’s role as the father of the faithful.

“For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also” (Romans 4:9-11).

So, whether one is Jewish or not, those who have the righteousness of faith, righteousness imputed to them by God, they are the children of our father Abraham (verse 12). All must have faith walking in Abraham’s steps.

“Preached the gospel to Abraham”

We must remember that the promises of God given to Abraham are realized through faith. Abraham and his seed, his true descendants who have faith, will inherit the promises of God given to Abraham.

As Romans 4:13 says: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

The promises given to Abraham are part of the gospel message—the good news. Abraham heard and believed in the gospel.

Galatians 3:8 says: “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” (The scripture being quoted is a combination of a promise in Genesis 12:3 and 22:18.)

This is a good example for us who hear the gospel today. Not all obey. “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:16-17).

There is a difference between trusting in our own “works” and trusting in God in order to be justified and saved.In Abraham’s Seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. We are blessed through the righteous Seed of Abraham, who is Jesus Christ.

Abraham’s faith and works

There is a difference between trusting in our own “works” and trusting in God in order to be justified and saved. And there is a difference between relying on the law, as the Jews did, and doing good works that demonstrate obedience and living faith.

Abraham is our object lesson in this regard.

James explained: “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled, which says, ‘Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then, that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:20-24).

Our faith is perfected as we do good works.

We should do good works in faith, as our father Abraham did. As John 8:39 says: “If you were Abraham’s children you would do the works of Abraham.”

Abraham did many works that demonstrated his strong faith in God. Jesus Christ told the Jewish leaders of His day, “But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this” (verse 40).

Abraham believed the truth from the mouths of God’s messengers and from the mouth of the Lord.

The faith of Abraham is living faith

We need to do what our father Abraham did. We need to believe that God can do the impossible and that nothing is too hard for God. We need to believe in God’s power and promises, without wavering. We need to believe and be willingly obedient to God, to come out of this world and depart from sin.

We also need to trust God’s guidance and direction in leading us into uncharted territory. As we journey through life as pilgrims and strangers in the world, we need to look in faith to the coming Kingdom of God and the New Jerusalem. Our faith in the future inheritance of the world to come should motivate us to live by faith.

Finally, through Abraham’s example, we see that we must demonstrate our faith by being obedient to God and doing good works that demonstrate our faith. Our faith is perfected by doing good works.

Having faith and doing good works is a living faith. “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

Abraham certainly showed us all his faith by his works. Are you going to follow Abraham’s example? This is the most important step you can take.

May God help you make these critical changes in your life so you can inherit the same reward as Abraham when Jesus returns and establishes the Kingdom of God here on earth! 

What Is Faith?

 

What is faith? It is trust, assurance and confidence in God. Living faith is shown by service and obedience to God. How can we increase our faith?

The expression “just have faith, it will work out” is used by people to encourage and comfort someone facing serious problems or stressful situations. But just what is faith as described in the Bible, and does it really work?

 In the New Testament the English word faith is used to translate the Greek word pistis. The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words says, “Pistis is used of belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same. ‘Faith’ means trust, confidence, assurance, and belief” (p. 1315).

The Bible also defines pistis in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith is the substance or assurance of things we hope for, but have not yet received. Faith (confidence, belief, trust) is also our evidence of that which is not seen—the invisible spiritual things. Faith comes before a prayer is answered or before an individual has received what he or she has requested from God. If we have received what we asked for, then faith is not needed.

What is faith? A New Testament example

An example of this definition is found in Matthew 9:27-30 where two blind men came to Jesus and asked Him to heal them. Jesus first asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” and their reply was, “Yes, Lord.” “Then He touched their eyes saying, ‘According to your faith let it be to you.’ And their eyes were opened.”

Their faith and assurance that Jesus could give them sight was the substance or reality they hoped for. It also gave them the evidence or trust that they would receive what they asked for. They believed; that is, they had faith in advance that it would be done.

An Old Testament example of faith

Another example is that of Daniel’s three friends who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold. Those who refused to bow to the image were threatened with being thrown into a fiery pit alive.

The three young Jewish men (Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego) who refused to bow to the image told King Nebuchadnezzar: “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

They did not know in advance how God would deliver them from the fiery furnace, whether at that time by saving their physical lives or later in the resurrection. Their faith or trust was the substance of what they hoped for, and it was the evidence of that which was not yet seen or received.

Their faith or trust was built on serving God and obeying His commandments. They believed God would deliver them because they obeyed His commandments and did not bow down to worship any others gods.

(For more insight on living by faith in our daily lives, read our blog post “What Does ‘Walk by Faith, Not by Sight’ Mean?”)

Faith without works is dead

The apostle James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ, uses the example of Abraham, who had both faith and works because he believed God and he obeyed what God commanded him to do.

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:21-22).

Real faith is more than just believing in God alone. It includes acting on that faith in one’s life by serving God and obeying His commandments.

Faith is increased by drawing closer to God through prayer and the study of His Word, the Bible.Some may argue that James’ teaching that we should obey the commandments of God is teaching that we are saved by works. That is not the case. The apostle Paul makes this clear when he says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Paul clearly understood and wrote that no one could earn salvation and that faith itself is a gift from God. Yet in the very next verse he went on to say that we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (verse 10).

Like James, Paul knew living faith would be accompanied by service and obedience to God and His laws. Paul wrote in Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

What is the difference between faith and belief?

Many in Christianity today use the words faith and belief interchangeably. But is there a difference between these words in the Bible?

Generally they are synonymous, and sometimes they are translated from the same Greek word. Actually, the only time the word belief appears in the New King James Version of the Bible, it is translated from pistis, the word for faith (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

But the word believe can carry a different shade of meaning.

The apostle James wrote in his epistle about what he called dead faith. Dead faith is when one believes in God, but does not obey His commandments.

James wrote, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20, emphasis added).

Here believe is translated from a related Greek word, pisteuo. James contrasts simple belief with living faith.

As Christians, we must strive for living faith—belief in God demonstrated by good works according to His laws and commandments. If we simply believe in Jesus Christ, believe that God exists and believe that He is the Creator God, we’re on the same level of belief as the demons!

But if our belief in these things inspires us to be obedient to God and changes the way we live our life, then we truly have faith and will be considered faithful if we consistently increase and grow in our relationship with God.

God gives faith to those who seek it

Faith is increased by drawing closer to God through prayer and the study of His Word, the Bible.

Paul told the Philippians to “be anxious for nothing [don’t worry], but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The members of the Church of God in Philippi believed God’s Word, and they obeyed His commandments. As they listened and followed Paul’s instruction on giving their cares to God in believing prayer, their faith (belief and trust) was increased.

Another way faith is increased is by reading or hearing examples of faith in the Bible publicly expounded. This is mentioned in Romans 10:17. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Today, we have the complete Word of God in many different translations. The Bible is God’s inspired Word to mankind. When we read the Bible, our faith (confidence and assurance) in God and Jesus Christ to answer our prayers and bring us through impossible situations increases.

What is faith? To summarize, faith is trust, assurance and confidence in God and Jesus Christ. Living faith is not just believing that God exists. It is demonstrated by one’s service and obedience to God.

God will increase our faith if we fervently ask Him for it and seek to draw closer to Him in prayer and the reading of His Word.

Learn more by studying the other articles in the “Faith” section.

Faith: Believing and Pleasing God

 

Today, millions are totally self-absorbed in their own lives, and their faith in God is greatly diminished.

What is faith?

In Romans 4:20-21, the apostle Paul describes Abraham’s faith: “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”

Faith is not just wishful thinking, but it is a deep conviction and belief that God’s words are true, and that He is able to bring about His promises. Our faith is made strong in Jesus Christ.

The Bible speaks of many other faithful people. They were persecuted, yet held fast to their beliefs, and have “obtained a good testimony through faith” (Hebrews 11:39) and pleased God. In fact, “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (verse 6 ).

We also need to have this type of faith. How can we grow in living faith? Learn more about this type of faith in the related articles.

Does God Forgive All Sins?

 

There are probably things you feel are unforgivable. Does God feel that way? Is there a sin that is so bad God can’t forgive it? Or does God forgive all sins?

God is the One who tells us what sin is, and He wants us to know several important things about sin:

• Sin is breaking God’s laws (1 John 3:4; see “What Is Sin?”).
• Sin earns the eternal death penalty (Romans 6:23).
• Jesus Christ’s sacrifice made it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and saved from the death penalty. (See “God’s Forgiveness.”)

But even those who know these biblical facts can have serious questions. Obviously, sin is important to God—so important that the sinless Christ had to die to pay for its penalty for others. We must not take it lightly.

So when we sin a terrible sin, or when we see someone else commit a sin that we don’t see how anyone could forgive, sometimes we wonder:

Is there a sin God can’t forgive? Does God forgive all sins?

Here are some common questions and their answers from the Bible.

Does God forgive murderers?

Yes, God forgives repentant murderers.

Consider the example of King David. The Bible clearly shows David’s guilt for the premeditated murder of his loyal soldier Uriah in his attempt to cover up his adultery with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba.

Could God forgive such a heinous sin?

When David came to deeply recognize the evil of his actions, he bitterly repented and beseeched God for forgiveness. His prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 can be instructive to all who have sinned against God. (See our article “How to Pray for Forgiveness.”)

And the Bible tells us God forgave him (2 Samuel 12:13).

David suffered terrible consequences because of his sins, but God removed the ultimate penalty of eternal death. God does forgive repentant murderers.

Does God forgive all sins if you repent?

Yes.

God wants everyone to repent (2 Peter 3:9), and He even leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

As the apostle Peter said to those who had been cut to the heart by his sermon on Pentecost:

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, English Standard Version).

Of course, to be forgiven, we must understand what the Bible means by repentance. It’s more than saying we’re sorry. It involves a deep change from the inside and a total change of direction. It’s a determination to stop sinning and not to sin in the future.

Study this further in our article “How to Repent.”

Does God forgive all sins, no matter how bad?

Does God clearly state He can forgive all sins?

“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things” (Acts 13:38-39, emphasis added throughout).

Paul wrote that our great God and Savior Jesus Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed” (Titus 2:14).

And consider what Paul said to the Corinthians, residents of a city widely known for sinful and perverse lifestyles:

“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

But Paul didn’t stop there. He continued: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (verse 11).

All of these sins can be forgiven.

All sins can be forgiven.

Does God forgive addiction?

Some sins are especially difficult to overcome because they involve addictions. Some Christians have repented often while failing to stop that cycle of sin. Sometimes it may take decades to overcome an addiction.

God understands our weaknesses and stands ready to help and to forgive each time we repent.

Study more about breaking free from sinful addictions in our article “Freedom From Addiction” and its related articles.

Does God forgive suicide?

(Note: If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, in the U.S. contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. For suicide hotlines in other countries, see suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html.)

As our article “What Does the Bible Say About Suicide?” explains:

“Would God condemn someone for all eternity whose last act is a sin? We should not presume to make a judgment about one’s eternal destiny. Passing final judgment is God’s prerogative, which He has delegated to Jesus Christ (John 5:22), not to us. Certainly, we can make a judgment that suicide is the wrong way to deal with one’s problems, but we should leave eternal judgment up to God.

“Could God extend mercy, even to a believer who takes his or her life? After all, a believer certainly knows that suicide is wrong. Consider what the Psalms show about the character of God: ‘For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him’ (Psalm 103:11). The Bible even weighs mercy against judgment, concluding that ‘mercy triumphs over judgment’ (James 2:13).

“Thankfully, God judges each of us on our entire Christian life, rather than upon a single mistake.”

Does God forgive all sins past, present and future?

God does not forgive future sins. (In other words, you can’t ask God to forgive you in advance for a sin you are going to commit in the future.)

Paul explained that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God passes over “the sins that were previously committed” (Romans 3:25).

Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

Repentance is about regretting past sins and committing to change. It is about seeking God’s help to stop present sins and avoid future sins.

Christians are called to a lifetime of repentance and change. Whenever we sin, whenever we drift from God, we must repent and return to Him.To try to repent of something you will do in the future is not repentance at all. It’s an oxymoron—like saying, “I’m going to change, but not if I have to change.” We can’t get permission to sin in the future. God doesn’t want us to think, “God will understand.” He wants us to change.

Yet, we do sin. Everyone occasionally sins out of weakness or ignorance. Some people have habits or patterns of sin that they slip back into even though they’re trying to overcome. From what we read in Scripture, as long as we genuinely repent of any sin we may have committed, ask for forgiveness and make diligent effort to obey God, we can be confident that our sins will be forgiven.

As John assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

What sins cannot be forgiven by God?

Yet the Bible gives a clear warning that some sinners won’t be forgiven. While God desires for all to be saved, we also read that some will reject His mercy.

There are passages that speak of unpardonable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, or falling away and sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth (Matthew 12:31-32; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-27).

These are sobering thoughts indeed! Study what the Bible says about this in more detail in our article “What Is the Unpardonable Sin?”

How to avoid the unforgivable sin

So, does this mean there are sins that God does not forgive?

Yes, but if we put all of these passages together, we come to this conclusion: There is no sin that can’t be forgiven if and when it is repented of.

But when a sinner does not repent, God does not forgive. You could say that not repenting is not forgivable.

To avoid the unforgivable sin, we must repent! If we stray, we must return to a repentant frame of mind. Some have strayed for years, but when, like the prodigal son, they came to themselves and returned, our merciful and patient God welcomed them. He “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

However, we must not allow ourselves to get so hardened, so bitter, so neglectful, so prideful that we will not repent.

Generally, those who express fear that they have committed the unpardonable sin are showing they still desire to repent and be forgiven. They must follow up on the fear and that desire, and let God lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Christians are called to a lifetime of repentance and change. Whenever we sin, whenever we drift from God, we must repent and return to Him.

He will never leave us or forsake us; He is our helper (Hebrews 13:5-6). He is always willing to forgive and give us help to change.

James summarized the approach we need:

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded . . . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:7-8, 10).

Yes, God can forgive all sins—as long as we repent and genuinely seek and desire to change.

Study more about these important subjects of sin, repentance, forgiveness and the process of conversion in our concise booklet Change Your Life!