p. 376 | ABRAHAMIC FAITH by Christian Worker

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 24.

ABRAHAMIC FAITH.

By Christian Worker

We admire strong faith. We believe great possibilities to be within the reach of strong faith. We consider strong faith and deep experience in divine things almost inseparable, and the one standing in relation to the other as cause and effect stand related. We look on some as having strong faith, and wish we had such a faith—a faith such as Abraham had. What is "Abrahamic faith"?—A faith such as Abraham had. Was there anything particular in his faith? Must not the faith of "the father of all that believe" have the same elements as the faith of every true believer? And must not believers of all ages exercise the same faith in the same manner in which Abraham exercised it? Is not "Abrahamic faith" the heritage of all believers? Are we not the children of promise—Abraham's faith posterity? May the following suggestions aid us in comprehending and attaining unto our great faith privileges.

Abraham was surrounded by idol worship; it was practiced in his own family, perhaps himself addicted to it in the earlier part of his life, but when God called him he renounced it all, and chose the true, the living God as the object of his faith. Henceforth he had no faith in idols; he did not trust in reason; he had no faith in his own wisdom, or goodness, or sufficiency, but he had faith in God. The true God was the center of his faith, the center of his life. Whatever might come, under all trials and difficulties, not only in theory, but deep down in his heart, he believed in the true God. The idea of a true and living God was a true and living reality to his faith. "Abrahamic faith" will not trust in reason. It renounces self. It believes in the true God. It lays a solid foundation. It admits of no rival, of no side issues, but centers in the one true God.

Abraham had as much faith in what God

said as he had in God. God's word had meaning in his estimation. When God spoke, Abraham believed that he meant what he said, and relied on his word. We never find him criticising, explaining away the meaning, speculating on, or toning down the Lord's words; he simply believed what God said, and acted as if he believed it. When God spoke, he expected the fulfillment of his word just as positively as if he already saw it. It is not in the nature of faith to change or modify God's word, but to believe it, take hold of it, and prove its truthfulness. May we not all have this simple faith of Abraham—just be childlike enough to believe all that God says? If our faith always had this simplicity, we would have less trouble about believing.

It was enough for Abraham to know that his God called and commanded. However dark the way before him, however contrary to his feelings the bidding, however difficult or arduous the work to be performed, it was enough for him to know that God directed him. He did not stop to argue the case, or even to ask what the outcome would be, but simply obeyed. When called to go to a strange land he did not stop to inquire about the particulars of the journey, nor to ask how he should fare; neither did he send out spies to search out the way and the land and report the distance or difficulties, the "but's," the "if's," and the "peradventures"—he simply went. "Abrahamic faith" obeys promptly, even when some Isaac is to be offered. When faith can see the way open for only one more step in the way of God's bidding, it takes that step promptly and confidently. It deals with the present and leaves the future in God's care, obeys, and leaves results with God.

It was sufficient for Abraham to know that God had promised. He believed, no matter what seemed to stand in the way of the promise. His faith knew no impossibilities. Those things which nature and human reason declared to be in conflict with the promise, he "considered not," they were not in the way of faith—gave him no concern. He lost sight of all discouraging and seemingly contradictory circumstances and arrangements, and simply "believed God." His faith was beyond human reasoning, resting in the promise. "Abrahamic faith" rises above human agencies, above difficulties, above discouragements, above secondary causes, above self, above the cares of the world, the malice of Satan, and the powers of darkness, and rests in God and looks to the promise.

The sum and substance of "Abrahamic faith" is crowded into three words, "Abraham believed God." Two parties,—God, Abraham, and a connecting link—believed. This was the bond of union making them one. "Abraham believed God," that is all. How wonderfully great, yet how inexpressibly simple! To such an unmixed, simple faith, all God's promises stand open. If we would have this faith, we must simply believe God. Oh, that it might echo throughout the length and breadth of the church, and deep down in the inner chambers of every heart—"believe God"!