Veroni's Views

There is a very close relationship between faith, love and obedience.  Let’s now look at a Biblical example of someone who acted in total obedience.

When Abraham and his wife were both already far advanced in years and still childless, the angel of the Lord promised them they would have a son.  Imagine their joy when Isaac was born!  This was the fulfilment of the promise that Abraham would have descendants.

And then:  “Abraham!  Take your son, your only son, who you love – Isaac – ….and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22.1 and 2). Abraham could only interpret these instructions as representing the annulment of all the wonderful promises of having descendants through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed (Genesis 12.3) and by whom Abraham would become the father of many nations (Genesis 17.6)    

How did Abraham respond?  “Early the next morning Abraham got up” and started the journey to the place where he would give up the proof of God’s faithfulness (Genesis 22.3).  We are impressed by the immediate response of Abraham:  “Early the next morning” means there was no delay in Abraham’s response.

Why did he do that?  Hebrews 11.17 and 18 give us the answer.  “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.”  He believed that God could even raise the dead.   

This speaks a whole lot about the nature of faith.  Faith is not denial, as if the challenge we face is not real.  Faith is holding on to God at all costs, even when we do not see the solution, or when what God requires seems to be totally illogical.

The other great truth that emerges out of Abraham’s response is that faith elicits obedience. 

Paul taught that obedience naturally grows out of faith.  He says that he “received grace and the apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith..” (Romans 1.5) 

If I trust God for my eternal salvation and provision in this life; if I truly believe He is who He says He is, why should I not trust Him enough to obey Him?

We all know the story of the dad who encouraged his young son to jump into his arms from a high piece of furniture, promising that he would catch him.  Only to let him fall and say to him “That is to teach you never to trust anyone.”

Has God ever let you down?  The answer is a resounding “No!”

How did God respond to Abraham’s obedience?  He allowed him to set Isaac free; he fulfilled his promises to Abraham.  Perhaps the most touching of all, is the fact that God called Abraham his friend.  James says Abraham’s faith was “credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” (James 2.23)  We are saved by faith and become God’s friends by obeying Him.

Let us pray.

Father, we thank you that you have proved yourself to be faithful in every way.  The greatest proof is that you have given your Son to be sacrificed for us.  Also, that you raised him from the dead.  That you revealed yourself to us as our Lord and Saviour.   That you have been what the Psalmist calls a ” very present help in time of trouble.”  We express our trust in you, and we commit ourselves to follow you in obedience.  In Jesus Name, Amen.