Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

WHAT DID ABRAHAM DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

It is easy to see the wrong things in another’s life. In Egypt, Abraham lied about Sarah, and encouraged her to do the same thing in order to save his own hide. Abraham tried to help God out with Sarah’s encouragement regarding an heir. That brought Ishmael into the world via Hagar the Egyptian, and a multitude of problems that continue to this day. These things underscore the sinful humanity of Abraham, and they let us know that Abraham was very much as we are. On the other hand, he is called the “Father of the Faithful” so what did he do that was so right?

In summation, one verse of scripture says it all. “Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Gen. 15:6; Rom 4:3. This is not the account of Abraham’s being spiritually saved, but a statement about his life being righteous through explicit faith in God’s every word. When will men learn that there is no good in the flesh? The only righteousness men may have that is acceptable to God is the imputed righteousness of Christ Jesus, that comes by receiving His teachings as presented in the Holy Word. Abraham not only trusted God with the eternal well being of his never-dying spirit, he believed Him in all that God told him. This then is the righteousness of life referenced in the above scripture.

Abraham went on to prove his faith in God for all time by offering up Isaac in full confidence that God would raise him from the dead because He had promised that his seed should be called in Isaac, and Isaac as of then had no children, Heb. 11:17-19. Great and mighty promises were made to Abraham and His seed. Those promises are fiercely argued to this day among the descendants of Ishmael and those of Isaac. This is primarily a material problem as they argue who rightfully owns the land of modern Israel. It is sad that they miss the tremendous import of spiritual things in those promises. The apostle Paul explained the term was not “seeds” as of many but “seed” which is Christ, Gal. 3:16. What an eternal blessing! The lineage of Abraham, the first of a separated, covenant people constitutes the lineage of Christ. However it must be emphasized that this production is not counted in the flesh, but in the lineage of “the faith”. Men have the glorious privilege today to be like Abraham. One may repent of sin, trust Jesus as personal Savior and follow as a disciple in “the faith once delivered to the saints.” This incorporates us into the New Covenant, and like Abraham, be found doing something that is so right!

FOR THOUGHT: Do you see that a lot of modern “Christianity” does not walk righteously before God because they do not believe the teachings of God that conflict with their thinking? Is there any other way for a person to have standing before God than in the imputed righteousness of Jesus? Did not Jesus say, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not what I say?” Is the initial faith experience sufficient or the starting point of doing what is right?