He
brews 11:17-19 (ESV) 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
How Deep Is Your Faith? That is a question, that if you pondered it for long, just might bring a pause in our thinking. We look to that subject as if it’s just a matter of we have faith. But faith unexercised soon just be comes proposition, not active. We would not give it a second thought if all that was required that we use it daily prayer and devotions and possibly waiting on the Lord for some simple request. This not a question of quantity, how much faith, but a far more searching question of quality, how far will you go with God? What would God need to do to reveal, to test that question? This is not an academic question. It’s a question that brings us to full attention as we ponder the possibilities, as we look deep within ourselves. It goes to the heart of our relationship with God and our submission to growth at any cost.
For Abraham, it was answered in Isaac. Not the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise of a son of promise and through Him the promise of a nation from which the Messiah, the sin-bearer would come (Genesis 15:1-6), but the prospects of the loss of that son (Genesis 22;1-10).
I can hardly imagine this scene, or place myself in his shoes. Would we be like Peter and the disciples who said that “’Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And so said all the disciples.” (Matthew 26:35) and then when the test came they scattered to the four winds? Or would I appeal to the grace of God to stand, even in the face of the unimaginable like Abraham did?
Our faith can only be tested through fiery trials (1 Peter 4:12), through self-denial, through cross-bearing ( Matthew 16:24). We are talking about the gravity, the seriousness, our commitment to Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-19 (KJV) 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.