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THE JOURNEY OF FAITH

You can live your life by sight and this is common. The Bible says we are to live by faith - in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith takes that which is the future and brings it into the present. It may be something that you cannot see but faith makes it visible. We are not yet in Heaven but we know we are going there if we are saved by faith.

Abraham is called the father of the faithful. See Romans 4:9-12, Galatians 3:6 & John 8:56. He is mentioned the most in this chapter. There are three features of his faith:-

1. The pilgrimage of faith (vs 8)

Sudden obedience - Abraham was called by God and he obeyed even before God had finished speaking! He was already packing his bags! This is an amazing thing. He is not questioning God. He just went out and did it. Abraham was a very wealthy individual and lived in a very pagan and idolatrous society. He gave it up to follow God.
Stunning obedience - He went out not knowing where he was going. God will tell him where to go when he gets there! God says he is moving. Sarah has to have faith too. He has to pack up without knowing where he, his family and possessions are going. Abraham left without thinking about where he is going. God had called him and he had faith in God to look after him. If you want to follow God you have to leave your old life behind. Wordliness is where you come to the Lord but you are still holding onto the world in your heart. See 1 John 2:15. We are not to love this world and the things in it. Faith proves itself by its works. See James 4:4. If you love the world, then you are guilty of spiritual adultery. Faith does what Abraham does. It lives a brand new and separate life.

2. The patience of faith (vs 9)

This seems to be at odds with the first one. Abraham had to dwell in tents and wait on the Lord. It was a promise that was not possessed. God had promised the land - but not yet. Abraham had a tent and an altar. He spent his whole life waiting on the Lord. We want it now and explained to us! God is not limited to our needs and wants. God's plan for our lives is really none of our business. We are to walk by faith and not by sight. It is based on trust - like marriage. All Abraham owed all his life was a little plot of land where he pitched his tent. He was a rich man and could have bought up real estate.

3. The promise of faith (vs 10)

Abraham looked for a city whose builder and maker is God. He put his eye on a promise. The promises of God were so real to him that he did not stagger at them. See Romans 4:20. Abraham believed that God is able to deliver what he promises. You need to put your eyes off this earth and on the promises of God. See Colossians 3:2. We need to set our eyes on the things in Heaven. Then we can put up with things on Earth.

A good soldier does not entangle himself with the affairs of this life. You are can be so earthly minded that you are no heavenly use. Don't stand on the premises but rather stand on the promises of God.