One of the greatest men in history has to be the Patriarch Abraham. In fact, there are three major religions that consider him to be the forefather: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, but as Christians, we view him as “the father of all who believe” (Rom. 4:11). What is most noteworthy about Abraham was his faith (Rom. 4:3; 4:9; 4:11; 4:16-22; Gal. 3:7-9), but what was it about Abraham’s faith that pleased God? (Gen. 15:6).
First, Abraham’s faith was based on revelation. God revealed Himself and spoke many times (Gen. 15:7; 12:1-4; 13:14-17; 15:1-17; 17:1-27), and consequently, Abraham had enough evidence for him to place his faith in God. Today, our faith must be based on revelation. Not that God reveals Himself to us as He did to Abraham, but faith comes through the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). It contains evidence that we might believe (Jn. 20:30-31). Therefore, if we desire to have the faith of Abraham, we must be receptive to God’s revelation of Himself through His Word.
Second, Abraham’s faith was an obedient faith, just as Hebrews 11:8-10 states, “By faith, Abraham obeyed…” In the words of James, Abraham’s faith was not a dead faith (Jm. 2:20,26), but a saving faith revealing itself in obedience. Today, if we desire to have the faith of Abraham, we must have an obedient faith to the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:5; 16:25-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).
Finally, Abraham’s faith was a growing faith. Certainly, there were times when his faith was weak (Gen. 12:11-20; 15:2-3; 16:1-4; 20:1-8), but God was patient with Abraham, and his faith grew (Rom. 4:18-22; Heb. 11:17-19). In fact, Abraham’s faith was such an ever-growing faith that it led him to being “a friend of God” (Jm 2:23). Today, if we desire to have the faith of Abraham, we must be willing to “walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had” (Rom. 4:12).
Why do we need this same kind of faith? Because “those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7). Because “those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Gal. 3:9). Therefore, if we have the faith of Abraham, we are truly the recipients of the promise made to Abraham (Gen. 18:18).
-John Garza