Abraham’s righteousness

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Abraham’s righteousness

Signs of the Times June 30, 1888

E.J. Wagonner

Character is what a man is; reputation is what others say that he is.

What Abraham’s reputation was among the heathen with whom he dwelt we are not informed; but we are told in so many words (Gen. 15:6) that the Lord counted him righteous; not because Abraham had never sinned, and was perfect in himself, but because of his faith.

All have sinned (Rom. 5:12), and Abraham was no exception to the rule, but he “believed in the Lord,” and his faith was counted “unto him for righteousness;” that is, his sins were forgiven and the righteousness of Christ was imputed to him.

Faith was the foundation of Abraham’s righteousness, as indeed it is of all righteousness.

The apostle tells us (Heb. 11:6) that without faith it is impossible to please God; but we know that God is pleased with righteousness, and with those who are righteous; therefore, without faith it is impossible to be righteous. And this is just what the Saviour meant when he said: “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5.

But these words of our Saviour suggest another thought, namely, that being merely justified for past transgressions is not enough; the man who is justified must, if he would retain his justification, abide in Christ by a living faith.

Abraham's righteousnessThis is aptly stated elsewhere by the same apostle who recorded the words of our Saviour just quoted. He says: “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:6.

There must be a growth, a development; the Christian must bring forth fruit.

Paul tells us (Gal. 5:22-23) what some of these fruits are, and in 2 Peter 1:9 we are assured that “he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

The professed Christian who is not giving all diligence to add to his faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, may well doubt the genuineness of his faith. Bible faith is not simply a passive belief of the declarations and promises of God, but it is an active, living principle which permeates the whole being, rules the life, and incites its possessor to action.

We know that Abraham’s faith was of this character, for the Lord Himself said to Isaac: “Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Gen. 26:5. And the apostle James says, “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Jas. 2:17.

In proof of this proposition the apostle cites the case of Abraham, thus:

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”

The apostle does not teach that works can by any means take the place of faith, but that real faith will work.

Abraham obeyed God because he had faith; and in the very act of obedience his faith was strengthened. This is well explained by these words of the apostle John:

“Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:21-22.

It is thus that “by works was faith made perfect” in the case of “the father of the faithful.” And it is thus that faith must be perfected in each one of our cases.

Faith is implicit trust in, or confidence towards, God; but if our hearts condemn us, as they certainly will if we are living in sin, we cannot have this confidence, and consequently no true faith, but, like the devils, we also will believe only to tremble.

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