In the
Old Testament, personal relationship with God showed itself in separation, and
this is symbolized in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country
and from his kith and kin. To-day the separation is more of a mental and moral
separation from the way that those who are dearest to us look at things, that
is, if they have not a personal relationship with God. Jesus Christ emphasized
this (see Luke 14:26).
Faith
never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is
leading. It is a life of faith, not
of intellect and reason, but a life of knowing Who makes us “go.” The root of
faith is the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest snares is the idea
that God is sure to lead us to success.
The
final stage in the life of faith is attainment of character. There are many
passing transfigurations of character; when we pray we feel the blessing of God
enwrapping us and for the time being we are changed, then we get back to the
ordinary days and ways and the glory vanishes. The life of faith is not a life
of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting. It is not a
question of sanctification; but of something infinitely further on than
sanctification, of faith that has been tried and proved and has stood the test.
Abraham is not a type of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith, a
tried faith built on a real God. “Abraham believed God.” – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His
Highest. 3-1917
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