Faithfulness and faithlessness: What is the thing that can move us from the first in spiritual victory to the second in sinful failure so very quickly? The answer? Fear!
Abraham (Abram), the great “father of faith,” illustrates this tragic truth…
First the spiritual victories won by faith…
“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ So Abram went, as the LORD had told him…” (Genesis 12:1–4 ESV) The result? Spiritual victory and covenant blessings!
But in the very next passage (same chapter) Abraham (Abram) experiences sinful failure…
“Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai (Sarah) his wife, ‘I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.’” (Genesis 12:10–13 ESV) Sinful defeat and embarrassment before a pagan king.
And what was the difference? What lead the “father of faith – father of the faithful” from great spiritual victory and covenant blessing to embarrassment and failure so quickly? FEAR!
So the lesson for me today… Beware of fear – It is the enemy of faith! Is it any wonder then, that Jesus urged his faith-followers, “Fear not!” Great lesson to sustain spiritual victory it seems to me!
I read a passage of Scripture today that caused my heart to rejoice! It is an interesting passage because, first of all, it passes sentence on all humanity, finding them guilty before God! But it also declares God’s wonderful solution, that those who are guilty can be “right with God” – declared righteous – through faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on our behalf!
