Faith & Obedience

​What does obedience have to do with faith?
Everything.
In God’s Word, the Bible, Abraham is remembered as a man of tremendous faith (Romans 4:13-22, Hebrews 11:8-11). He believed God. He also obeyed God (Genesis 22:1-18). Let’s look at Abraham’s faith and obedience.
THE TEST
 

1. God tested Abraham. He called Abraham’s name. Abraham replied, “Here am I.” (Verse 1). Abraham was familiar with the voice of the Lord. He worshipped regularly.

 

1. “Take now” your only son Isaac, who you love, to Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.” (Verse 2). The angel of the Lord said “now”. Not later. Not if or when you feel like it. Take your boy now.  

 
 I preached on this passage when my son was six. Heartfelt tears streamed down my face as I described what Abraham did. I asked myself:  Would I have sacrificed Adam who I love with all my heart? Would I have had faith and obeyed the Lord?
 

1. “Abraham, early in the morning, arose and went to the place God told him.” (Verse 3). He got up, took his only son, wood and fire for the altar No questions. No hesitation. No explanation. Simply arose and went. That is faith and obedience.

 

1. Three-day journey. I wonder what Isaac was thinking and dear old Dad too. The Word tells us. Abraham told the servants to stay put.” I and the lad will go yonder, and we will worship and return to you.” (Verses 4-5).

 
NOTE: WE, I AND ISAAC, WILL WORSHIP AND RETURN. THAT IS A FAITH STATEMENT! “The two of them walked on together.” (Verse 6). I can see father and son walking by faith to obey God.
 

1. Isaac did have a question for dear old Dad. “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Verse 7). Abraham’s reply” God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burn offering my son.” (Verse 8).

 
Oh my! Abraham had faith to trust God for the sacrificial lamb. Isaac had faith in his father who trusted in the Lord. So, they kept on walking together to the place of sacrifice. Continuing onward, walking together in faith and obedience.
 

1. Read carefully and reverently verses 9-18. Abraham put Isaac on the wood on the altar. Isaac did not question his father. (I think I might have been tempted to!).

 
Abraham raised the knife to slay his only son. The angel of the Lord (The Lord) stopped Abraham. I know now you fear, reverence God, since you did not withhold your only son from Me.
 
The Lord then spoke a blessing over Abraham that his family would be a blessing to all the nations of the earth.
 
 Why the blessing on Abraham and his posterity? “Because you obeyed My voice” Verse 18).
 
WOW! BEYOND WOW! What a scene for time and eternity. A godly, faithful man was willing to sacrifice his only son in obedience to the Lord. This is a prophetic picture of the future when a Father in heaven would indeed sacrifice His only Son Jesus, the Lamb of God, for our sins.
Abraham believed then obeyed. Obedience was the proof of his personal faith in the Lord.
Let’s get real. Anyone can say I believe. It is quite another thing to back up belief with obedience. If we won’t obey, I wonder if we really believe in Jesus?
Obedience is an act of trust.
Believe in Jesus? Then obey Him. What He tells you to do, do it. If you love the Lord, do not just say you will do what He asks. DO IT! Without question or doubt, do what He tells you to do. Now. Promptly. Not later.
When Jesus says “Come”, I simply come. When He says “Let go”, I let go. When He says “Trust in God in this matter” I do trust.
“By the discipline of obedience I get to the place where Abraham was and I see who God is.” Oswald Chambers.
If you and I say we love Jesus, let us walk by faith and obey His Word in all things great and small, as a daily demonstration of our love for Him.
“Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.”
“And Samuel said “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.’ I Samuel 15:22
A Word For Your Week: Obedience is proof of faith.