According to Paul, Abraham is one of the earliest, most obvious examples of a person saved by faith apart from works. In both Romans (Rom 4:1-12) and Galatians (Gal 3:6-9), Paul uses the story of Abraham to demonstrate that those who place their trust in God are given righteousness. In the famous "faith" chapter of Hebrews, the author there uses Abraham in his list of people who had faith (Heb 11:8-12). This man was promised a son in his old age and he received that son. Hebrews goes on to say that Abraham's faith was tested when he was told to offer up Isaac (Heb 11:17-19). "He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead" (Heb 11:19). That's faith.
Here's the catch, though. While we are told what a fine example Abraham is in his faith, the actual story looks a little less solid. You remember. God promised Abram and Sarai a son (Gen 12:1-3), so they went to Egypt where Abram, "trusting God" as he did, told Pharaoh she was his sister so they wouldn't kill him (Gen 12:10-20). Sarai quit waiting and had Abram sleep with her maid to achieve God's promise (Gen 16:1-16) which, obviously, ended badly (Gen 21:9-14). And when Abram (now Abraham) and Sarai (now Sarah) went to Gerar, he again trusted God so much that he told the king she was his sister (Gen 20:1-18), again fearing for his life. All this to say that, while Paul and Hebrews both seem speak of some sort of "super faith" on the part of Abraham, the actual story tells us that it's just not so.
What, then, can we conclude? We know that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6). When Jesus told the despairing father, "All things are possible to him who believes," the man cried out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:23-24). And therein is our hope. God does not require perfect faith. God does not need your unwavering belief. This father recognized his own unbelief in the midst of his belief. And while Abraham serves as a fine example to us of faith that saves and faith that is tested, he also serves as a welcoming example of a less than complete faith that was still sufficient for God to save and use the man. Unless you are one of those super Christians whose faith never wavers, I would think that would be of great comfort to you. It is to me.
2 comments:
With the flaws of the heroes of the faith, we can be assured that our salvation isn't from our effort, but His grace.
I’m glad it isn’t just me: Abram always did strike me as a bit wimpy, to be honest—especially how he complied with Sarai’s desperate scheme (and I always wonder: would he have done so again a year later if Hagar had produced a daughter instead of a son?? After all, it was 50/50.). Due to his flaws, it’s easy for me to forget the great faith Abraham must have held through it all. As you say, his story is a good reminder that as imperfect as our faith is, it is sufficient for God's purposes. That is a comfort to me, indeed! And while “I believe; help my unbelief!” always sounds like a paradox, it is more familiar than I’d like to admit.
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