Is it Foolishness or Faith, Part 5: Perfecting Faith

They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, if ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. John 8:39

In our series, “Is It Foolishness or Faith,” a comparative question was posed in the first of this series: “Which is more difficult to receive, Genesis 22:2 or John 3:16?”

Was it blind faith?

It’s difficult to comprehend either sacrifice; however, many personally identify with a seemingly unreasonable charge that God gave to Abraham. (Perhaps you feel life has dealt you some unreasonable circumstances.) After all, Jesus was God, and He foreknew that His mission was to be the sacrifice for our sins. However, Abraham didn’t “sign up” for this challenge; that is, to take his son Isaac to Mount Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. (This is what the Jews call the Akedah, the binding.)

Was this blind faith on Abraham’s part? The answer becomes skewed if we neglect to search both the Old and New Testaments for information which God has provided to give clarification. Additionally, as explained in previous teachings, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham as recorded in Genesis 17:5 and Sarai’s name to Sarah as recorded in Genesis 17:15 to further confirm His unchanged purpose for their calling. That’s why each of those names is used in this teaching.

It has been said throughout this series that the New Testament is camouflaged in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New. This statement is the key to give the reader not only understanding to the seeming paradox regarding what Abraham, without any hesitation, was able to do but also to spotlight the miracle of this climactic episode in Abraham’s faith. The latter, according to the New Testament Scriptures, was something about which Abraham had foreknowledge. AND, this was a foreshadowing of our Father [God] in Heaven Who, years later, sacrificed His only Begotten Son for our benefit on what many believe was the same mountain range.

Faith is much more than verbal assent.

The apostle James clarifies Biblical faith, through this example of Abraham’s obedience, by teaching that action accompanies faith. James tells us that the “test” of everyone’s faith; that is, if we truly believe God, is that we will act in accordance with Scripture. Study James’ succinct explanation of true faith:  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? … Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:20-24.

You’ve likely heard the saying, “Talk is cheap.” How many times have you heard someone say he is sorry, but the action for which he says he is sorry does not change? He continues to lie or persists in the behavior or sin he is confessing. His WORKS do not line up with what he is saying.

Abraham’s faith took many years to mature.

God takes us on a century-long journey with Abraham. This was from his childhood, when he was reared in an idol-worshipping family, through several episodes of his failing faith, to his pinnacle moment on Mount Moriah when he with total faith … stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. Genesis 22:10

It was at this point that the LORD interceded and stopped Abraham’s downward thrust of the knife into his son’s body. This was to prove Abraham’s faith, not God’s faithfulness.

The Apostle Paul fills in many important details for our understanding.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:3 However, Abraham, for many years, didn’t really believe that God would make it possible for him and Sarah to have a child. In the natural, this doubting would make sense as the Scripture records that Sarah was barren many years before Abraham’s calling by God, and she remained barren even when both were nearing one hundred years of age.

Abraham’s faith had to be developed.

God instructed Abram to leave his homeland and relatives. … The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia …  And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. Acts 7:2-3 Abram, instead, moved with his family from Ur to Haran and remained there until his father Terah died at the age of 205.

It was then that Abram started on the journey God was directing; however, even then, he disobeyed by taking his nephew Lot with them. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Genesis 12:4

The promise of a son was given to Abram.

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh … And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land … Genesis 12:6-7

Abram’s immature faith was evident for many years.

Abram lied, or at least was deceptive, about his marital relationship to Sarai, not once but twice (on different occasions) when he feared that pagan rulers might kill him. For example, because of a famine, instead of trusting in the LORD, Abram moved out of the land of promise to Egypt; and, in response to potential death, he and Sarai agreed to the following: And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. Genesis 12:11-13

It’s often those “little white lies” we overlook.

God, however, interceded, and Sarai was returned to Abram. Was this just one of those little “white lies” we, too, tell and feel justified for doing so? After all, Sarai was his half-sister (as recorded in Genesis 20:12). His words, even though deceptive, “contained” truth! It’s often those “little white lies” we overlook; God doesn’t!

Never give in to fear; God works the impossible.

An important unchanged Biblical precept, established even in these formative Biblical years, is included in the record of the aforementioned incident with Abram’s wife. In those days, multiple wives and concubines were commonly accepted; however, there was some type of unspoken “law” that these multiple wives and concubines were not to be taken if the woman had a living husband.

Carefully review what Pharaoh of Egypt said to Abram when he discovered Sarai, whom he had taken as his concubine, was Abram’s wife. He immediately said to Abram … What is this that thou hast done unto me? Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? … I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. Genesis 12:18-19.

As the years passed by with no son born to this chosen husband and wife, Abram reasoned that Eliezer, the steward of his house, would be the heir. However, God told Abram … This [Eliezer] shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. Genesis 15:4.

When Abram ventured into Egypt, a door to endless centuries of negative “reaping” was established. While in Egypt, they took on Hagar as Sarai’s handmaid which led to a disastrous “family feud.”

Another plan which seemed reasonable, but it brought horrific, everlasting effects.

The years continued to pass with Abram and Sarai being well aware that … the LORD hath restrained me [Sarai] from bearing … Genesis 16:2. Thus, when they “reasoned” that time and options seemed to be running out for God to work His plan for Abram’s seed, Abram and Sarai came up with their own plan to help God out! 

They, like many of us, had not learned that God’s timing is often not theirs (ours). How often have we prayed and prayed, fasted, and begged God; yet, our prayers went unanswered; and we, too, have done something foolish and out of the will of God and then suffered the consequences?

Abram and Sarai agreed that he should take Hagar to bed to “sire” the promised seed (son). Thus, was birthed Ishmael who, years later, became the leader of enemy nations against the people of Israel; these remain so even today. Because of the birth of Ishmael through Abram and Hagar, Arabs and Muslims trace their lineage to Hagar and Ishmael, and they falsely claim that Ishmael is the promised son of Abraham. Jews traditionally see themselves as descendants of Isaac, Sarah’s son.

God highly esteems parents who rear children to obey Biblical principles.

When Abraham was 99, the LORD appeared to him again and reiterated that he would be a father of many nations. God stated, as recorded in Genesis 18:19, why He had chosen Abraham: For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

At ages 100 and 90, Abraham and Sarah finally believed that the LORD would give them a child. The apostle Paul fills in important corroborating evidence: (As it is written, I [God] have made thee [Abraham] a father of many nations,) … Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb … And being fully persuaded that, what he [God] had promised, he was able also to perform … Now it was not written for his sake alone … But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Romans 4:17-24 Abraham eventually believed in God’s resurrection power.

It requires faith in Jesus Christ to become the spiritual SEED of Abraham.

There’s a difference between the physical and spiritual seed of Abraham. All could be said to be physical children of Abraham; however, not all are spiritual children. Spiritual children (those who are saved) DO the works of faith; the latter, of course, being vital to salvation.

We must prove our faith, as did Abraham, by our works:  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:20-22

The works of our faith about which James teaches do not require being circumcised, observing Jewish feasts and festivals, speaking in tongues, or becoming a pastor or ministry worker, etc.; even though these are often practices of committed Christians. The aforementioned do not “atone” for sin. Jesus Christ has paid that price, but it is only applied personally when we turn from sin (repent): He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Being separated from the LORD forever (refusing to turn from sin—stealing, lying, living in adultery, fornication, sodomy, etc.) is an option no one should choose. It is such unrepentant works that bar us from Heaven and eventually will send us into eternal outer darkness Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:44 … the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

Jesus clarified faith to religious leaders and some of His followers.

The apostle John records a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees in John 8:39 which again clarifies what it takes to prove one’s faith: They [Pharisees] answered and said unto him [Jesus], Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.      

Matthew’s gospel gives the reader additional insight to faith in action in the recording of another conversation; that between Jesus and a Gentile Roman officer who understood what it means to humbly bow one’s knee to authority and to totally believe what Jesus says.

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord … speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. Matthew 8:5-9

This example of obedient faith was so rare that Jesus … marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. Matthew 8:10

Why was Abraham able to obey God without question or hesitation by offering Isaac for a sacrifice on Mount Moriah?

Abraham’s obedience is further clarified in Galatians 3:6-8. The gospel was preached to Abraham before he took Isaac to Mount Moriah: Even as Abraham believed God … And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it; and was glad. John 8:56

The, now, unwavering faith in the Word of God was settled. Abraham knew what he was to do when he and Isaac got to the top of Mount Moriah; but, he also knew that if he struck his only son with his knife that God would revive him. He understood, on some level, the resurrection power through Jesus Christ.

This should be a sign, a lesson in the reality of the Word of God and the importance of studying the Bible and, through faith, believing it. We, today, have God’s words in written form, our Bible; but, do we believe what His words say?

Abraham confirmed that he understood.

Additionally, consider what Abraham told the two men who accompanied him and Isaac to the base of Mount Moriah: And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. Genesis 22:5 Abraham not only KNEW his “charge” was to sacrifice Isaac, but he believed if that happened, Isaac would be resurrected. He believed what God said.

Isaac questioned his father: … Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? Abraham, with confidence in God, replied: My son God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering … Genesis 22:7-8 What an intuitive prophetic statement that was. Not only did the LORD provide a ram for Abraham’s sacrifice, but this was an event foreshadowing what God, hundreds of years later, would carry out by providing HIMSELF as a lamb to be sacrificed for the sins of the whole world, through His only begotten* son Jesus Christ. This latter ultimate sacrifice took place on what many believe is this same mountain range, Mount Moriah, where Abraham made yet another confirming prophetic statement: And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. Genesis 22:14

Begotten is vital.

*If the word begotten, when used regarding the deity of Jesus Christ, has been removed, directly or in a footnote, from your Bible, especially in the gospel of John, beware. Few understand the vital difference between God’s only son and God’s only BEGOTTEN (Greek: monogene) Son: Jesus Who was SENT forth from God. There’s a huge difference between an only son and THE ONLY BEGOTTEN Son.

The Greek word monogene, for only begotten, is in all underlying Greek texts, but most new version authors translate just one-half of the word: mono, meaning only. For a more in-depth teaching on only begotten and how it is self-defined some 50 times in the gospel of John (in the King James Bible), see our publication: Family Feud and Your Part in The Book of Life.

Man disputes Jesus’ statement: I and my father [God] are one. John 10:30

One of many ways this Truth is attacked by the new version authors (in addition to changing my to the) is that they add and remove contextually vital words and change the structure of sentences. For example, the prophetic statement in Genesis 22:8 is seemingly only slightly rewritten by new version authors, but it is more than slightly wrong. In Genesis 22:8, they change the fact that God provided HIMSELF (sent Himself) as a sacrificial Lamb. This is one of many vital proof Scriptures confirming that Jesus is God: I and my father are one. The new version authors insert one word, in Genesis 22:8, the preposition for, which totally changes the sentence structure and the meaning of Abraham’s prophetic statement. Study the examples below:

Instead of the Scripture stating that God will provide Himself (a lamb, the only begotten son), the new versions wrongly state that God will provide for Himself the lamb.

With this restructuring of Genesis 22:8, Abraham is falsely reported to say that God will provide the lamb which could be anything or anyone. Instead, as recorded in the King James Bible, He provided Himself a lamb wherein “a lamb” is structured like an appositive. (An appositive is a noun or pronoun — often with modifiers — set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it.) The Scripture, as recorded in the King James Bible, is CONTEXTUALLY CORRECT and accurately reflects the underlying Hebrew text. Below, is the Hebrew text from which the English translation is interpreted. (Hebrew is read from right to left.)

Many rely on concordances and dictionaries, without the vital application of context. Absent the latter, wrongful Biblical conclusions are made. Context, with spiritual discernment, must be relied upon to correctly translate and interpret the Bible. This is a major strength of those who translated what we have in the King James Bible.

Many proof Scriptures confirming the Godhead (God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost are One.) can be found throughout the Bible. Sadly, many of these are altered by the new version authors:  For in him [Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9 In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us … John 1:1, 14  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7 Jesus is God manifest in the flesh: Behold, a virgin shall be with child [Jesus] and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23.

God provided Himself, not someone or something else, as a sacrificial Lamb; and, God, through Jesus Christ, shed His own blood: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he [God] hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24  … a spirit hath not flesh and bones … Luke 24:39

Every word is vital in God’s eyes, even every jot [smallest letter in Hebrew alphabet] and tittle [curvature/smallest detail of Hebrew letters]. 

See Matthew 5:18. These vital specifically chosen words of Jesus, jot and tittle, are changed in new versions. It’s only the Hebrew language of the Old Testament that includes jot and tittle.

To help the reader further conceptualize what many wrongly feel are minor changes to God’s Word, review what it took the original “new version author” in the garden of Eden (Satan, the serpent) to become a catalyst to effect a change on all of humanity: man, animal, and plant life. He did this with only one three-letter word, NOT.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall NOT surely die. Genesis 3:4 God had clearly and specifically told Adam … thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:17

The above examples of altering the English translation open the door to manipulation of the text to interpose Ishmael as the promised seed of Abraham and for inserting Hagar as the birth mother, wrongly placing her in the line of the Promised Seed, Jesus Christ. This is an egregious error infused into new versions of the Bible. How horrific this is in the sight of God Who made it very clear that it was Isaac who was Abraham’s promised seed and Abraham’s only promised son recognized by God. Carefully consider the text and the words of God in Genesis 22:2: And he [God] said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

The Seed is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and all who are or will be saved must live according to His teachings.

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit … Romans 2:28-29

The external rites of religion are of much less importance than the state of the heart. Without holiness of heart, and that being reflected in one’s lifestyle, the aforementioned are useless. Again, the fact that we are born of pious ancestors and repeat creeds will not save us; neither will speaking in tongues, observing all of the feasts and/or holy days; or the fact that we may have been dedicated to God in baptism. It is faith in Jesus Christ and the works of faith that must be proven as we work out our … salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12 Today is the day to get out of any lifestyle sin [repent], knowing that God will not always strive with man to repent. See Genesis 6:3.

Are you right with God? Tomorrow may be too late for you to repent.

Know ye not* that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived*: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10 *Recall that the serpent said, Ye shall NOT surely die (Genesis 3:4). Be not deceived!

Marital adultery is often overlooked. *Be not deceived: Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. Luke 16:18 (The eth ending indicates an on-going action: commiteth.)

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:13-15

Is there an elephant in
your heart or your church?

The image above may illicit varying responses. What are yours? Does it invoke: curiosity, anger, conviction, laughter, or sadness?

It is an attempt to illustrate the opposite of the kind of WORKS Abraham exhibited in Genesis 22 and taught in the book of James. Works pictured, not of faith, include three perspectives on alcohol in the balcony, the adulterous wedding ceremony, the horoscope over the elephant, and the other behavior patterns listed on the elephant.

Faith is tied to obedience.
… Faith, if it hath not works [of obedience to the Scripture], is dead … James 2:17

… repent and turn to God, and do the works meet for
(indicative of) repentance. Acts 26:20

This is the last in this series on Abraham and faith. If you haven’t studied the first four, we hope you will go to our website and read the other four articles and/or watch the videos. Go to our website: WWW. RestorationOfTheFamily.org. Under the drop-down, Teachings, click on YouTube. Scroll down to find each of the four previous teachings. See below:

https://www.restorationofthefamily.org/is-it-foolishness-or-faith/
https://www.restorationofthefamily.org/is-it-foolishness-or-faith-part-2/
https://www.restorationofthefamily.org/is-it-foolishness-or-faith-part-3-seed/
https://www.restorationofthefamily.org/is-it-foolishness-or-faith-part-4-lot-and-sodom/

For additional insight to this teaching, we urge you to view the Website video: Is it Foolishness or Faith: Part 5, Perfecting faith at the top of this teaching. For a Bible Study on this teaching, click on this link.

If you have questions or would like prayer, please contact us. We are blessed when we hear from you.

In Christ’s Service,
Judith Brumbaugh,
Founder/President/Restoration Of The Family, Inc.
www.RestorationOfTheFamily.org. PO Box 621342 Oviedo, FL 32762-1462  RestorationOfTheFamily@gmail.com