Page 6 - Living Epistles

God, but it is a trusting response to the word that God presented to him. Again
we see the two ingredients of revelation and trusting response.

I am convinced that every instance of faith includes these two vital
ingredients, revelation and trusting response. Even in instances where both
are not clearly stated, as one examines the situation it can be shown that both
were present.

To see the principle of faith having two parts even more clearly, let us look at
the example of Abraham who is called the father of faith. If Abraham is the
father of faith then we should be able to glean some very important teachings
about faith from his life.

Romans 4:16-21
For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order
that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who
are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the
father of us all, (as it is written, "A father of many nations have I made you")
in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and
calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, in
order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which
had been spoken, "So shall your descendants be." And without becoming weak
in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was
about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with
respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong
in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had
promised, He was able also to perform.

This passage speaks of the faith of Abraham and it clearly speaks of a spoken
promise and Abraham’s response of belief. We too are the children of
Abraham if we walk in the same faith. Our faith must have the same
components, a revealed word from God and a response of trusting obedience.

Another test of Abraham’s faith was when God asked him to take his son Isaac
and sacrifice him on an altar to God. Abraham responded in faith, having
heard God clearly give him instructions to do this thing. Abraham did not have
to wonder, “Does God want me to do this?” Abraham had heard God give him
specific instructions and Abraham responded in trusting obedience. How
many of us, however, have been tormented because we were not sure that we
had heard God speak? How many have heard some man tell them that they