When faced with a crisis, we often think skill, knowledge, experience and bravery is needed to triumph. However, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” (Lk 8:25). Do we have faith in Jesus when we face an impossible situation or task?
Faith is a belief and trust in God and His word (Heb 11:1). When it comes to examples of faith, there is none more exemplary than Abraham, the father of Isaac. In Hebrews 11:17-19 Abraham is mentioned for the second time for his faith and obedience to God. When asked to sacrifice his only and beloved son who was promised by God, it must have been a shocking crisis (Gen 22:1-14). Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and his son was most precious to him, and now God was asking him to be offered. Through Abraham’s example of faith, we see his complete submission and obedience, we see true faith.
Clarification: God does not desire human sacrifice
God asking for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac is not His condoning of human sacrifice. There is one other instance, where Jephthah vowed to offer to the Lord the first thing which came to greet him, and it ended being his daughter (Judges 11:34). However, this was Jephthah vow of his own volition and what Jephthah vowed was not as a sacrifice as in killing but dedication in service. Therefore, there is no pattern of God seeking human sacrifice.
Secondly, God’s law is written and settled. God does not change and neither does His law (Mt 5:17-19, Ga 3:10). In fact, God hates hypocrisy and is always consistent with His word both in His nature and actions (Mt 23:1-3, Deut 12:31, Lev 18:21). God’s law never demands a human sacrifice to be killed, but it is those who go against God’s law who resort to such things (2 Chron 33:6).
Lastly, human sacrifice goes against God’s nature. God’s heart is to love and to give himself to those He loves (2 Cor 5:21, Jn 13:2). God’s purpose for Abraham was to test his faith, not a desire for human sacrifice.
The call to sacrifice
Abraham was tested by God to sacrifice what he cherished most in this world, his beloved son Isaac. Facing this impossible request, Abraham responded in faith and obeyed. Does God still ask for this level of sacrifice and faith today, even from you? We might be tempted to categorize Abraham’s interaction with God unique and for the ancients.
The truth is God does not change and neither does the definition of true faith. We all have things that are precious to us, whether it is money, job, family or passions. (Mt 4:20, 9:9, 19:20-22,27), we are not to cling to them, but surrender them to the Lord Jesus. Like selling all we have to obtain the treasure of God (Mt. 23:44), we are to sacrifice in faith. What Isaac’s are in your life that you refuse to sacrifice when God is asking? God still demands everything in order to follow him, just as He did with Abraham.
In this world of convenient faith, can you forsake your idols to follow Christ? Are you following Christ on His terms or your own? Sadly, we have a hard time even giving up the smallest of treasures, whether it’s our time, money or things. Instead we must give up our very lives. If we do not, our faith might not be genuine. Also, we miss out on the blessings God has prepared for us (Gen 22:14-18, Mk 8:35 ).
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