STEPS OF FAITH.

The Steps of Faith

Paul wrote the letter to the Roman brethren to explain how true righteousness [God's, not man's] was revealed apart from the law. After reminding them that no man would be justified by the works of the law, he then revealed that it was through faith a man could attain to righteousness. He had earlier stated that it was in the gospel that this righteousness was revealed (1:16, 17), for the central point of the gospel,Christ's sacrifice, was itself a demonstration of God's righteousness (Rom. 3:25, 26), showing
God's holiness and justice to the world in one righteous act where God was revealed as both just and the justifier to those who believe in Jesus.

    But in getting to this point, Paul first demonstrated the utter failure of man's attempts to attain to anything close to true righteousness [in God's estimation], showing how the Gentiles had rejected God and pursued unrighteousness (chapter 1), and how the Jews were ultimately no better because they practiced the same things for which they condemned the Gentiles (chapter 2). He concluded the defense of his pending conclusion by the rightful condemnation of all men as guilty of sin (3:23). None could honestly say they were righteous by the deeds they had done, and the Jew was no better off, though they had been given the law.

   Example of one who had such a faith: Abraham (4:1-3). His example of faith was one to be upheld as a standard that all could follow if they, too, would have God account their faith as righteousness. In stating this, Paul wrote that Abraham's faith was accounted to him as righteousness while uncircumcised that he might be "the father of all who believe" (4:11), indicating it was not any fleshly mark that identified the righteous, but any and all "who also walk in the steps of faith which our father Abraham had" (4:12).

    I am confident all who seek the praise of God are ultimately seeking to have God count our faith as righteousness, too, just as He did for Abraham. How is this done? Walk in the same "steps of faith" as Abraham! But what does that mean? Simply put, it means that we must demonstrate our faith even as he did.

Now would be a good time to consider that faith, and we will do so by looking at one particular passage when Abraham demonstrated the faith that was accounted to Him by God as righteousness: the sacrifice of his son, Isaac. [Read Genesis 22:1-19.] In this scene, where God asks Abraham to go and offer up the son of promise as a sacrifice, we find a clear example of how we must walk if we are to truly walk in the same steps of faith. If we do as he did, our faith will also be accounted by God as righteousness.
To walk as Abraham walked, we must…

Answer When God Calls. (v. 1) For Abraham, this call came to him because he was already one who believed in God and sought to do His will. And when he was called, he answered! This may seem like a trivial point or, for some, an irrelevant point, but this is an important step. In fact, it must be the first step! Someone once said, "Even the longest journey begins with the first step." How true!

Sad to say, many today will not even hear the call of God. Many have no desire to even think about spiritual matters and will never lift a finger to find out what God would have them to do. Sadder still, some are searching to know God's will but are prevented from hearing God's urgent call because we are not offering it. Let us never be guilty of withholding the words of eternal life, but let us spread the invitation far and wide.
But for those who have gone so far as to open the word of God and read His revealed will, how many men remain unwilling to take the first step by answering God's invitation? Yes, God has invited you to walk with Him; have you answered the call? Jesus makes the sincere plea, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) Have you answered the call, or have you ignored it? Did you take it seriously, or did you think it was not worth your time?
Your salvation depends on you first answering the call! What will you do?

Obey Without Delay. (v. 3) It is inspiring to see that when he was told what to do, Abraham "rose early in the morning" and went to do what God had commanded. He did not put it off, he did not delay, and he did not try to shirk his responsibility. He set to the work immediately!

But how many men are delaying their obedience to Jesus Christ today? How many are putting off their obedience, excusing themselves by saying "some day" they will obey? How many shrug off the need to act with urgency because they are too wrapped up in the cares of the world to think about their eternal destination? Friend, do not think you will live forever (Luke 12:20), or that you will not have to, someday, answer for how you have lived (Heb. 9:27). If you know the truth, why are you waiting? Now is the time! (cf. 2 Cor. 6:2)

Prepare to Fulfill the Task. (v. 3) When Abraham rose early to obey, he did not simply leave without preparation, telling himself the Lord would take care of everything. What we find is that Abraham went so far as to "split the wood for the burnt offering." Imagine that! Here Abraham had been given a difficult command to obey, and he not only obeyed, but brought the wood for the fire!

We would do well to ensure we have not missed this "step of faith" and prepare ourselves for what lies ahead, after we answer God's call to salvation. Many enter in unprepared, never having counted the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:26-33). Far too many enter into service not understanding what is required of them. Some believe God is
going to do everything, so they sit back and wait for God to save them, to keep them saved, and to do all the work of the kingdom! Let us enter into service prepared to stand for the truth, prepared to withstand the trials that will come, and prepared to fight.

Trust the Lord. (v. 4) To me, this is the most telling measure of Abraham's faith, for as they headed up the mountain, he told the servants, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder to worship, and we will come back to you." THAT is faith!

How about us? Do we really trust the Lord when we read His commands? His promises? His blessings? Do we really believe that He will never leave us nor forsake us? That we will be saved if we believe and are baptized? That eternal life is for those who stand fast until the end? How about some "lesser" things like the fact salvation is in the gospel and not through material offerings? Friends and brethren, true faith is one that trusts the Lord, no matter how difficult the path may be.

Depend on the Lord. (v. 8) When Abraham did all he was told, Isaac asked about the "missing" sacrificial animal and Abraham again demonstrated his faith in God by telling him the Lord would provide. And He did (v. 13). A sacrifice was ultimately offered - and God was the Provider! Is this not the very message of the gospel? Has not God provided the sacrificial Lamb that paid the price for our sins? Even now, we depend on the Lord to provide this precious sacrifice, for we had nothing to offer Him that would remove our sins, pay what was owed, and reconcile us to Him.

Do you seek to be found righteous in God's sight? Do you seek salvation? You can't earn it, but you can attain it through faith by following Abraham! -- Steven Harper

Truth - is as old as God -
His Twin identity
And will endure as long as He
A Co-Eternity -- Emily Dickinson