"And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the Faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the Faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of Faith."

Romans 4:11-13

 

The first thing we must understand is that Abraham did not become the father of Faith because there were certain laws that he lived by which made him become a symbol of Faith that many of us look at today. In fact, our text shows us that Abraham received the righteousness of Faith while still uncircumcised. You know, there are a number of believers who believe that if they can condition themselves and their lives to living in a certain way and manner, maybe they might probably please God. Now, when you attempt to please God this way, even though it may appear effective for some time, it does not always give us the right condition or platform to really or adequately please God.

 

Listen to Podcast: WALKING IN THE STEPS OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

 

The reason is because each time we fall below the standards of rules and conditions that we have set for ourselves, we feel very bad and unworthy to approach God, and this is not how God wants us to live.

 

Apostle Paul gave us a glimpse of what we try to do when believers try to please God this way. In Galatians 2:16, he said: "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by Faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus , that we might be justified by Faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." Now, this is a picture of the state of many believers today. They struggle to please God through the works of the law and not through Faith. Apostle Paul said this system is not going to birth the justification that we are looking for really. It was this same system that made the children of Israel struggle with their relationship with God. They thought they could keep the law. But the more they tried, the more they were found wanting.

 

Acts 13:39 tells us that: "And by him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses." The law of Moses could not present the people perfect before God, even though they strive and struggle to fulfill them. Each time they try at one, they stumble at the others. So, what the law could not do, even though we try and try, Christ came to do for us. And since Christ has perfected it on our behalf, it would absolutely make no spiritual sense to still try and try to please God by the law that we have given to ourselves. See what Galatians 5:4 says: "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." What does that passage tells us? It means if you still struggle to please God through the lenses of your conditions and not Christ's conditions, it says "you have fallen from grace", which means you have not fully accepted the grace that is found in Christ Jesus.

 

Now, the reason I gave us this background is simply because of verse 13 of our text that we read earlier. Romans 4:13 says: "For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of Faith." Abraham did not receive the righteousness of Faith through the law or fulfilling the law. As a matter of fact, Abraham did not even live in the time of the law. The law came 430 years after Abraham had long departed this realm, lest we think that Abraham pleased God through the law (Galatians 3:17). Now, haven seen that Abraham did not please God through the law, what were the things that Abraham did that made him to please God and earn RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH and became the symbol of Faith today?

 

1. The first step Abraham took was that he BELIEVED God absolutely. Romans 4:17 tells us: "as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations" in the presence of Him whom he believed, God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did." Now there is a difference between believing in something and agreeing to something. You may agree to a cause for example, and may never believe in the cause. That is to tell you that there is a difference between believing in something absolutely and agreeing to something.

 

As at this time in Abraham's life, it was not looking feasible physically speaking that Abraham would be able to father a child because he was already old. When you read this account in Genesis 17:1-4, the Bible recorded that Abraham was already Ninety-nine years old. So, medically speaking and by all standards, Abraham was not supposed to be able to procreate. But when God made this statement to Abraham, the Bible recorded that he believed. And it is important that we examined what formed the basis of Abraham's belief, so that we don't assume he just believed God for believing sake. The Bible says Abraham believed because he knew that God, has the capacity to give life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did."

 

This statement was what formed the basis of Abraham's belief system. He knew even though his own body is dead, but God has the capacity to revive it because He is the one who gives life to the dead, things that seemingly do not have life, and call those things that do not exist as though they did. So, if we are ever going to walk in the steps of Abraham's Faith, we must get to that point where we absolutely believe in God and His word. It is not enough to agree with the word of God, the word of God is meant to be believed. Romans 4:22 tells us that Abraham believed and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

 

2. Abraham was hopeful in an hopeless situation. Romans 4:18 tells us "who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "so shall your descendants be." You see, God specializes in turning hopeless situations into glorious situations. When it appears that nothing good can come out of a situation, things that really look impossible in the eyes of men, that is when God steps in and prove everyone wrong and bring out the possibilities and solutions to it. Ezekiel was taken into the valley of the dry bones by the Spirit of God and he was asked a simple question: "Son of man, can these bones live?"

 

Naturally speaking, and by every human standard and reasoning, there was no way Ezekiel would have said yes that the bones could live because he himself saw the bones and have testified that "indeed the bones were very dry." So he answered the Spirit of the Lord talking with him: "O Lord God, you know" (Ezekiel 37:1-3). Now this is exactly what God loves to do, turning hopeless situations into miracles so that men can know that He alone can do all things. So, even though Abraham's situation appeared hopeless by every reasoning and medical standards, the Scripture recorded that Abraham believed. Why? Because he held on to the word of God which was already spoken to him: "so shall your descendants be."

 

When you are faced with hopeless situations in your life, in your business, in your ministry, in your family and even in the world, let your Faith so much hanged on the word of God. This is what will bring about victory to you at the end of the day.

 

3. Abraham did not consider the things happening around him. Romans 4:19 tells us "and not being weak in Faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb." Now it is so easy to be drowned in fears and worries or anxieties when you focus so much on what is going on around you. You know, apostle Peter did not begin to sink when Jesus asked him to walk on water towards Him. He was actually going to meet Jesus walking on water. But the moment he considered the boisterous wind around, the Bible recorded he began to sink right there and then.

 

This is what happens really when we shift our gaze from God and begin to focus on the contrary winds blowing around us. Noticed the Bible says that Abraham was not weak in Faith. The only reason for that could because he was not paying attention to the deception going on around him. He was not looking at the statistics of how many married people that have been married and still don't have children yet. He was not looking at the economy and the possible collapse of the world economic system when this whole pandemic is over. He was not looking at all the negativities surrounding his predicament. Abraham did not consider all those things.

 

There is need for us to look beyond what we are seeing right now if we are ever going to walk in Abraham steps of Faith. The Bible says we should look not at the things which are seeing because they are temporal. That situation you are going through right now is temporal. That health issues you have is temporal. That bareness is temporal. Whatever it is that you don't want in your life are temporal. So, don't let them become the object of your focus. We are admonished to look unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our Faith, and not those things, those unpalatable situations and circumstances.

 

So, Abraham did not consider his own body now weak, nor the deadness of Sarah's womb. Do not consider your problems. Put your consideration on God always who has the capacity to give life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did." Let God be the subject of your focus and consideration.

 

4. Abraham did not doubt the promise of God concerning his life. Romans 4:20 tells us "he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in Faith, giving glory to God." Now, it was so easy for Abraham to put his absolute trust in God because he has come to know God as one who says a thing and does what He says. He has been able to see God through the lenses of Numbers 23:19 which says "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor the son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will it not make it good?" So, Abraham did not have any reason to doubt God or allow unbelief in his life because he knew that God is superb at keeping His words and promises. He knew that concerning him, the word of God will not fail or fall to the ground.

 

Because he knew God does not fail, Abraham was strengthened in Faith and he was giving glory to God. Somebody may be tempted to think: Why was Abraham giving glory to God concerning a promise he was yet to receive? Well, the answer is really simple. Number one, because he knew God would not fail him in giving to him the said promised Child. Number two; his giving gory to God was a vital tool in strengthening his Faith. You see, when you are trusting God for something, and it appeared that that thing is being delayed or is taking time to manifest, the best thing to do or be doing while waiting on God is giving glory to Him concerning that thing. That action strengthens your Faith and gives you also the necessary patience to be able to wait.

 

The Psalmist wrote: "wait on the Lord, be of good courage and the Lord shall strengthen your heart." The best way really to wait on the Lord is by giving Him glory, thanking Him in advance for the things He had said in His word, His promises concerning you, and you will see the Lord performing it in its time. So, Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief. He did not give unbelief a chance in his life, and this is very important if we are going to walk in the steps of Abraham's Faith.

 

5. Abraham was absolutely convinced. Romans 4:21 tells us "and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." You see, there must be something that form the basis of your beliefs and convictions in God. Those who developed the staying power until God came through for them discovered something about God that they held onto. For Abraham, it was God's word and His promises. For Moses, it was God's name. Exodus 3:13-14 tells us: "Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” ¹⁴ And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"

 

You have to get to that point where you are absolutely convinced that God is able to do what He says He will do in your life, irrespective of what the situation look like right now. And this conviction must be built on something that you have discovered or found out about God that you cannot throw away.

 

I believe you have been blessed!

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Obayomi Abiola Benjamin!

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