In as much as we have seen how fruitful Abraham’s faith was, it is important to note that his faith evolved over time to become the great faith it became. Abraham went through processes to become the man of faith he became. He did not become mature in faith overnight. Like him, our life of faith begins from the bottom and grows into maturity. God is not only interested in the spectacular and admirable exploits of faith, but also in the necessary processes of its growth towards maturity.
Often, people subject themselves to untold and unnecessary hardship by putting the cart before the horse. God does not require people to stand before they have learnt to sit, and neither does He require them to walk before they have learnt to stand. The Bible says that, “… Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Lk 2:52). Even Jesus Himself (though He had no sin) did not bypass the processes of natural growth into adulthood. Therefore, Peter encourages his audience: “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,(1Pet 2:2).
Abraham’s life of faith began with a call from God, just like anyone else’s today. He lived in a pagan culture before God called him out of it. Genesis 12:1-3 records the call as follows: “Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”” Similarly, every Christian was called out of the world—a culture in which he or she practiced some form of idolatry. No man or woman can begin the life of faith, who has not first perceived God’s call—although the contemporary equivalent does not usually necessitate dissociation from one’s family in a literal sense.
Though Abraham’s response to God’s call was, “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him…” (Gen 12:4), his journey, however, had just begun; he still had a lot to learn about his new life of faith. However, as long as Abraham was willing to follow, God was committed to leading and transforming him into a man of great faith. God will not call you to something he does not want to do through you: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1Th 5:24). “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”(Philip 2:13). Abraham’s obedience to God by having left his father’s house was an act of faith.
You may not have arrived at the level of faith you desire; you may not currently be able to describe yourself as fully convinced and reliant on God’s word; like Abraham, you may have run to Egypt for safety from famine, nevertheless God’s word stands sure that, if you will repent (turn away from Satan’s distractions and look to Jesus), He will not only forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness, but also says, “Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go,… for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”” (Gen 28:15). For it is through faith and PATIENCE that you will inherit the promise. Shalom.
