Romans 4:12
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Abraham is father of circumcision not for the circumcised only but also for the uncircumcised who walk in the steps of that faith which he had while still uncircumcised, so that belonging to his family rests on following his trust in God and not on circumcision alone. God gave him the name Father of the faithful in approval of his deep, earnest fidelity. His life was recorded in sacred history to stand as an example of faith for succeeding generations of his believing children.
His faith was not perfect at first, for he showed distrust of God in concealing that Sarah was his wife and again in his marriage with Hagar. That he might reach the highest standard he was subjected to another test, the closest test man was ever called to endure. That crowning test was the yielding up of his beloved Isaac, which he carried out in his heart so fully that it was as if he had taken his son's life with his own hand. That act teaches implicit confidence in God, perfect obedience to His requirements, and complete surrender to the divine will, showing that nothing possessed is too precious to give to God.
Those who profess to believe God and pass for Christians must follow those steps by denying self, yielding their dearest and darling treasures to God, putting God's claims first, and combining faith with works. His faithfulness was also shown in care for his household, making him the pattern for parents and for every father as head of the family. Christian parents are to follow his steps by guiding their children and by so educating and moulding their minds that they ever have high respect and exalted reverence for God and for everything sacred and holy and feel that nothing is too precious to sacrifice for Him. Every father is to follow those steps of Abraham's faith by combining faith and works as the one who binds, supervises, and leads his household toward heaven.