Hebrews 11:8-12
The key words in this paragraph are: faith (repeated four times), obeyed, promise. The focus of this section is Abraham, with a minor focus on Sarah. The author contrasts the temporary nature of Abraham's (as well as Isaac's and Jacob's) sojourn in the land to the permanent nature of the city that they were looking forward to. There is a comparison, or word-play, between the faith of Abraham and Sarah and the faithfulness of God: "By faith Sarah... considered him faithful."
The focus of this section is that Abraham's faith moved him to obedience even though he didn't see the whole picture. In fact, Genesis 12 and Hebrews 11:8 make it clear that he obeyed without knowing where he was eventually going to end up. This section also makes it clear that the Promised Land was not the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise. Abraham understood that the Promised Land was just the beginning and was temporary - there was still a permanent city that was to come. Revelations 21 describes this city for us. I look forward to the same thing that Abraham looked forward to in faith.
This passage speaks of God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promise even in the face of the impossible. He fulfilled his promise to Abraham even though Sarah was old and barren and Abraham was as good as dead. This tells me that nothing will stand in the way of God fulfilling his promises and his purposes in this world. Even though a thousand people and circumstances will stand in the way and logic demands that it is impossible, God still has the ability to work in and through and beyond circumstances. This is the faith that Abraham had. It is the faith that I can have as well. For example, it seems impossible that a birth family would choose us when they see that we are planning to move in six months. However, if God's plan is that we would adopt again, he will not allow that deadline to stop him. Today I trust the God who works in impossible circumstances.
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Monday, July 9, 2007
Father Abraham had many sons... and I am one of them
Romans 4:9-15
Observations:
The words that are repeated are: circumcised, uncircumcised, faith, credited, righteousness, father. The ideas that are contrasted and compared are circumcised/uncircumcised and faith/law. The people mentioned are Abraham and his offspring - Paul argues that everyone who has faith in God is Abraham's offspring whether they are circumcised (Jews) or not (Gentiles).
Interpretation:
"This blessedness" (v. 9) refers to the quote in v. 7-8: blessed are those who have been forgiven. Paul argues that this blessedness (and, therefore, forgiveness) is not just of the circumcised. The argument goes like this: Abraham was credited righteousness because of his faith (not because of his works) and this credit was given to him before he was circumcised. Therefore, circumcision is not necessary for righteousness to be credited to our account (in other words, Gentiles don't need to convert to Judaism to become believers in Christ) and Abraham, in his example of faith, is the spiritual father of both the Jewish and Gentile-ish(?) believer.
Paul is referring back to the blessing that Abraham received: many offspring (like the dust of the earth), possession of the land of Canaan and that all nations would be blessed through him. Ultimately, all nations are blessed because Abraham was the ancestor of the Messiah but also because we are the spiritual offspring of Abraham.
It is interesting that James uses this same example to prove that faith without works is dead. He says that Abraham was credited righteousness because he acted on his belief and until he acted on that faith, there was no righteousness credited to his account.
Application:
I am really struck by the logical flow of Paul's arguments. I really enjoy the balance of emotion and reason that Paul achieves. I personally tend to lean on the law which doesn't make sense. I don't even live up to my own standards and I try to impose those standards on others. I know that as a follower of Christ there are standards for me to live up to but I can't achieve those standards without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. This means that my role as youth pastor is not to impose standards on people but to use those standards, and our failure to reach them, to point out our need for Christ, then to teach students how to depend on Christ.
Observations:
The words that are repeated are: circumcised, uncircumcised, faith, credited, righteousness, father. The ideas that are contrasted and compared are circumcised/uncircumcised and faith/law. The people mentioned are Abraham and his offspring - Paul argues that everyone who has faith in God is Abraham's offspring whether they are circumcised (Jews) or not (Gentiles).
Interpretation:
"This blessedness" (v. 9) refers to the quote in v. 7-8: blessed are those who have been forgiven. Paul argues that this blessedness (and, therefore, forgiveness) is not just of the circumcised. The argument goes like this: Abraham was credited righteousness because of his faith (not because of his works) and this credit was given to him before he was circumcised. Therefore, circumcision is not necessary for righteousness to be credited to our account (in other words, Gentiles don't need to convert to Judaism to become believers in Christ) and Abraham, in his example of faith, is the spiritual father of both the Jewish and Gentile-ish(?) believer.
Paul is referring back to the blessing that Abraham received: many offspring (like the dust of the earth), possession of the land of Canaan and that all nations would be blessed through him. Ultimately, all nations are blessed because Abraham was the ancestor of the Messiah but also because we are the spiritual offspring of Abraham.
It is interesting that James uses this same example to prove that faith without works is dead. He says that Abraham was credited righteousness because he acted on his belief and until he acted on that faith, there was no righteousness credited to his account.
Application:
I am really struck by the logical flow of Paul's arguments. I really enjoy the balance of emotion and reason that Paul achieves. I personally tend to lean on the law which doesn't make sense. I don't even live up to my own standards and I try to impose those standards on others. I know that as a follower of Christ there are standards for me to live up to but I can't achieve those standards without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. This means that my role as youth pastor is not to impose standards on people but to use those standards, and our failure to reach them, to point out our need for Christ, then to teach students how to depend on Christ.
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