“Old Testament examples are New Testament instructions.”
John Owen
The Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus found their legitimacy in being descendants of Abraham. In the eighth chapter of John, they asserted this in their dispute with Jesus, “They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.” (John 8:39-40) Jesus was ready to concede that they were physically descended from Abraham (see John 8:37) but that is where the connection ended. Jesus pointed out to them that they were not doing the works that Abraham did.
What were the works of Abraham? In God’s affirmation of the covenant with Isaac, some of those works are described, “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Gen. 26:4-5) Abraham responded to the voice of God and lived in the obedience of faith. His many works include going after Lot and rescuing him and also receiving the three visitors, just before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But this is not what Abraham is primarily praised for in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, Abraham is primarily praised for his belief in God. Abraham is looked upon as the father for all those (Jew and Gentile) who are the children of God through faith. Here is one passage: “Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.’ (Gal. 3:5-7, see also Romans 1:17; 4:1-3, 16; James 2:23)
Many years ago, at a Christian camp, I sang these lyrics, “Father Abraham had many sons/many sons had father Abraham/I am one of them/and so are you/so let’s just praise the Lord” It was a great song but imprecise because it assumed belief. So, I ask the question, are you a child of Abraham due to your belief? Have you come to trust Christ as your Lord and Savior leaning on him for all that he has accomplished? If so, you are a child of Abraham! Have a blessed week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
