This is the Day, Firm Foundation (He Won’t), Back to Your Heart, So Faithful

What’s something precious or valuable that has been passed on to you by an older relative?

⁶ Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. ⁷ Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. ⁸ The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”

Today, faithfulness is not the norm. People make promises but don’t follow through — in business, government and families. But God is the “faithful God who keeps His covenant” (Deuteronomy 7:9). God’s faithfulness is His unchanging eternal reliability to keep His promises. He always acts consistently with His words, promises, and character. He is utterly dependable, never failing, or forgetting. Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). One of the foundational characters of God is that He is faithful.

God is faithful, and He will do as He promised and purposed (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Your faith will only be as strong as your knowledge of God. One famous Bible character – ABRAHAM — show how the faithfulness of God impacted him, and how Abraham’s faith impacted generations and nations after him. Abraham is our spiritual father, and God had a purpose for choosing Abraham and gave an amazing promise and a huge responsibility to him – to make an impact on his family (household) with SAVING FAITH THAT’S PASSED ON (Isaiah 51:2, Genesis 18:19). There are four marks of saving faith:

GOD-CENTERED FAITH

Faith always has an object. We put our faith on many things to function daily. Biblical saving faith is trusting in God and His promises, not your feelings or the concept of faith. If you do not know God and His promises, your faith won’t grow. You cannot have saving faith apart from who God is. Abraham believed in God, and it was “credited to him as righteousness” (Galatians 3:6-7). The idea of credit and debit are familiar accounting concepts, and spiritually, we see this at work as well: the righteousness of Christ is credited to us.

God used Abraham as an example of faith that is passed on to all the nations (Galatians 3:8). Through faith, we are all children of God in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26). Once you put your faith in Christ, you are declared righteous, and you become a child of God. Thus, we are Abraham’s descendants according to God’s promise (Galatians 3:29)! Abraham was declared righteous because he believed in the promises of God (Romans 4:3-5). Salary is given according to what we deserve, but salvation is different – believing in the Savior by faith credits righteousness upon us. Saving faith is God-centered, and He gave the solution for our salvation! Christ’s righteousness was credited to us, gives justification and freedom (Galatians 3:22-25). We are to grow in faith, that comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).

OBEDIENT FAITH

True saving faith transforms us. God initiated His call to Abram (Abraham) (Genesis 12:1). He promised that Abram will be a great nation and will be blessed — that his name will be great (Genesis 12:2 ff). Abraham obeyed God, following God’s command (Hebrews 11:18). You see, faith is demonstrated by works (James 2:17-19). Jesus emphasized that believing in Him means you also do as He says (Luke 6:46)! You cannot pass on something that is not real. Faith always involves actions.

PROGRESSIVE FAITH

This means that authentic faith keeps growing. You may fail, but you will continue to grow. The proof is in the life of Abraham. What was Abraham’s weakness? He was cowardly, even willing to sacrifice his own wife to save himself! When they were in Egypt, the Lord struck Pharaoh for taking Sarah, and it took this pagan king to scold and rebuke Abraham (Genesis 12). Years later, in Gerar, another king was impressed by Sarah, and Abraham introduced her as his sister (Genesis 20). God intervened again – warning king Abimelech he would die if he touched Sarah, so that king did not touch Sarah, and returned her to Abraham. This king rebuked Abraham (Genesis 20:9,11). God overrides Abraham’s mistakes, who, like many of us, compromise because of fear. Abraham had to continually learn to trust God.

SURRENDERED FAITH

Abraham waited for 25 years to have a child. Surrendered faith means you must stop giving God a timetable (Genesis 17:17).  Sarah was very old and barren (Genesis 18:11-12). Trusting God is surrendering to Him, even if you don’t know the answers. Even Sarah had doubts about God’s promises, but nothing is too difficult for the Lord. Abraham had a surrendered, growing faith, and this was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:20-21). Many years later, a son was given to Abraham…but the greatest test to Abraham’s faith took place when God asked Abraham to offer Isaac, whom he loved, as a burnt offering at Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22).  Why did God ask Abraham to offer his one and only son? A surrendered faith puts God as your number one priority. Our idols may even be the good things in our lives. God tells us that nothing should take His place. Abraham obeyed God immediately, doing as he was told early in the morning (Genesis 22:3). Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience; delayed obedience is disobedience!

Abraham held on to his faith in the promises of God. Isaac was the promised son who will have descendants and even believed that God can raise someone from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19). God will never give you a test beyond your ability. All your trials in life are meant to strengthen you, to exercise your trust and obedience to God. Abraham was ready to offer Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:9-14). Isaac, no longer a little boy – carried the wood, and when Abraham bound him, he did not fight. Isaac was a man of faith. Abraham’s faith was passed on to Isaac! He believed in the promises and the power of God. The angel of God prevented Abraham from slaying Isaac, and instead, provided a ram for the sacrifice. Abraham was tested to see if he trusted and loved God. That place in Mt. Moriah is called “Jehovah Jireh” – the same place where God offered His own Son, Jesus Christ. Are we willing to surrender our “Isaacs” to Him?  Will you pass on saving faith to your family?

Pray for God to raise up faithful men and women across our nation who will have saving faith in their own lives.

Be an example of someone who knows God and His promises and obeys God by faith.

Pass on this saving faith by sharing the gospel to others this week.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• For the rest of the Israeli hostages to be restored to their families safely. For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• Pray for Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism; may this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For protection of Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout their region.

• Pray for Sudanese and Nigerian persecuted Christians; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

^“Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.”