Sunday November 12, 2006 | Greg Boyd
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
Living out the beautiful life of God’s kingdom requires living by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Our main job in life is to be receptive, and by faith, willing to follow God’s leading in our lives. It is a life of vision and purpose; that does not settle.
Living out the beautiful life of God’s kingdom requires living by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Our main job in life is to be receptive, and by faith, willing to follow God’s leading in our lives. It is a life of vision and purpose; that does not settle. Abraham’s life is a testimony to us of one who was led by faith and followed God’s calling.
What made Abraham different from his forefathers, what set Him apart? In Genesis 11:31-12:4, God calls to Abraham and by faith he responds. Unlike his father Terah, Abraham heard God’s call to leave his family and to travel to a new land. Although Abraham had not seen the land that God had promised, he was willing to leave behind everything he had known before and follow God’s call. Abraham chose to follow God by faith.
As Christians, we are also called to follow God outside of the status quo into new land; the uncharted territory of walking according to faith. Faith is more than just belief. It is a feeling of conviction and then a move toward action. Abraham not only believed God; he did what God asked him to do. Because Abraham acted on his faith he fulfilled the destiny that God was calling him to. If Abraham had decided to only acknowledge God as truthful, but had not acted on what God had called him to we may not have had a “father Abraham”. We may have looked to some other person as the founder of our faith. Therefore, as Christians we are called into action, not simply belief.
As we seek to live out beautiful, meaningful and faith-filled lives we must ask ourselves if we are being asked to step out in faith into some new areas. Abraham chose to step outside of the “norm” into the beautiful life that God had designed for him. Abraham’s faith set him apart and gave him the strength to follow God’s call. In order to live the beautiful life we must also be willing to move outside of our comfort zones, into a deeper faith in God’s provision.
As Christians we are called to go all the way in our walk with God and never settle for “good enough”. God has designed us for a beautiful life. We are to keep moving towards it and say no to the doubts that keep us from obeying God’s call.