And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6
We are starting a new series this week at the OSC about the life of Abraham. The dude is pretty famous, starring in three major faiths, so it seemed like a good idea to take a look at his life. In the course of my prep for this Sunday, I was reminded of the verse above. It's a pretty famous one, one that I've read countless times and have heard numerous sermons about. Yet as I re-read it, I was struck by it's simplicity. God made Abraham an awesome promise. Abraham believed it. God counted him righteous because of it.
This is intriging to me because the guy really doesn't do anything. Our standard for righteousness always involves action. Yet there is none of that here. He doesn't go protest at the original Sin City. (what happens in Sodom, stays in Sodom) He doesn't go serve hummus at the local shelter. He doesn't start the B.C. version of prohibition, turning over tents looking for fermented goat's milk. Nope, he simply makes an internal decision to believe what God tells him. That's mind blowing!
It makes me wonder how I stack up using that same criteria. I know I have the big one covered. I believe Jesus is who He says and that He has provided me with escape from the consequences of my rebellion through His sacrifice. But God's promises go beyond that initial reunion. He promises peace, joy, purpose, miracles, provision, and the ability to affect eternity. He's promised me all that and more. But do I believe Him? Do I simply accept that as true? I have to confess, my response to God is often to question rather than believe. And I don't think that is necessarily wrong. Jesus told us it was alright to seek and ask. But I am wondering what it costs me.
Abraham received right standing from God because he simply believed God would do what He said. In this insane world we inhabit, I could use the security of belief and the sense of approval God attaches to it. So I feel challenged in how I respond to what God is telling me. I've questioned a lot. Maybe I'll give faith more of a shot. He shouldn't have to prove Himself to me every time. (or at all, for that matter) Maybe, I'll simply believe.
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