Abraham’s Goodness
Bible passage: Galatians 3:6-9
“6. Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7. Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9. So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. ”
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today’s sermon continues on from the seminar, focusing on Abraham’s faith and deeds. If we look at Abraham’s obedience and deeds, it’s easy to understand why Abraham was called the forefather of faith and a friend of God. At the seminar, we focused on Abraham’s complete obedience to God’s will and in leaving his home country despite having no clear, tangible sign.
This was only possible because Abraham had complete faith in God, whom he’d heard about from his ancestors. God promised great blessings through Abraham’s descendants. After a long time, at the age of 100, he received the blessing of the birth of Isaac. However, God commanded Isaac, who was given as a covenant blessing, to be offered as a burnt offering. Abraham obeyed without any hesitation and had complete faith in the Almighty God who raises the dead.
Once Isaac was bound and the knife raised, a voice from heaven sounded. Genesis 22:11-12 says, “11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you [a]fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
God saw Abraham’s deeds of complete faith and prepared a ram in place of Isaac as the burnt offering. Then a voice from heaven called a second time. Genesis 22:16-18 tells us, “16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your [a]seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your [b]seed shall possess the gate of [c]their enemies.
18 In your [d]seed all the nations of the earth shall [e]be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” God was so pleased with Abraham’s deed of faith and confirmed the covenant blessings with a vow upon God’s name.
