Glen Jeffers Pastor and president of Christ In Us Ministries Int'l.

Abram had been walking with God for 25 years by faith. Abram was now mature enough that God expected him to walk before Him or obey Him blamelessly (V1) and he received a new name by obeying God's voice (Deat 28:1-28) instead of the voice of his wife (Gen 16:2) and Ishmael was 13 years old.

We are told in Revelation 2:17 and 3:12 that in the letters to the seven churches and all seven have to him who has an ear let hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Do you hear the voice of the Spirit? If you obey and overcome (also the promise of all seven churches) there are many other rewards promised to the believer, who overcomes.

Some would say, "Oh that's just OT and that is part of the law and not applicable today. Paul makes it abundantly that circumcision is for the NT church (Ron 2:28-29). Yet I'm 65 and in church all my life and have yet to hear said sermon. What did circumcision do for Abram in those 25 years? 1) It took away his stiff-neck (Deut 16:10), 2) it caused him to love (Godly love) the Lord God with all his heart and soul that he may live, 3) it broke up the fallow (unfruitful) ground of Abram's heart (Jeremiah 3:3-4) and it caused him to hear God's voice more clearly (Acts 7:51).

Read Romans chapters 2, 3 and 4 about the faith of Abraham and his good works produced by grace through faith. In there Paul makes it clear that Abraham was circumcised in the heart before he was told to walk blameless and the physical circumcision was just a sign of God accomplished in his heart.

Also, read Romans 9:1-18 about those descendants (spiritual faith descendants of Abraham - New Testament saved by grace through faith).

Read about Abraham's faith and the evidence we require (works) to show we are "of the faith" (Hebrews 11:1, 6, 8-10) and many others "of the faith" of the OT looking forward to a heavenly home (Hebrews 11:13-16).

Read about Abrahams (Gentile) and Rahabs (Gentile) works that they produced by faith, thus proving or having evidence of their living faith called fruit of righteous (James 2:1-3:18).

Jesus said He would raise up children for Abraham from stones so there is hope for our stone hard hearts (Matthew 3:9-10) with a warning.

Acts 7:8 (NT teaching) tells of Abraham's covenant of circumcision.

Abraham's believed God (grace - faith - works) and it was credited to him as righteousness and those how have that kind of faith are his children (Gal 3:6-7). We need such works or acts of faith credited to us.

We are blessed (Deut 28:13) if we have faith like Abraham (living faith that produces blameless good works), along with Abraham (Gal 3:8-9).

Abraham's covenant of faith with God is an eternal covenant (Gen 17:13, 19) that knows no artificial bounds of OT or NT. God has not changed, neither yesterday, today nor tomorrow.

I would encourage you to study about the father of the faith and I would also encourage you to be taught by Father God (John 6:44-45) and let Jesus feed you the manna from heaven (John 6:27-68) so that you are not lead astray. If you obey Father's voice you will be an overcomer and perhaps receive a name change like Abraham and Jacob after a long life of following and obeying.

September 22 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report