Title: Growing Faith/Genesis 13:1-18
As we continue to trace the life of Abraham, we zoom in with the focus of faith. It is possible to illuminate Abraham from a different point of view, but the process of continuously growing and training Abraham's faith is a significant challenge and lesson for us living today.
Last week we watched the fervent faith of a new believer fall into the abyss as it headed for its visible refuge in Egypt. Now he leaves Egypt by the intervention of God in Egypt. It must have been disappointing. Can we not fully imagine how Abram felt when he returned to Canaan with the abundance of silver and gold he had received from Egypt? I don't know if our friends will have memories of falling in vain in the fight of faith. Still, rather than words like salvation, faith, godliness, and Q.T, the atmosphere, friends, etc., must be controlling the hearts of our friends more. However, I don't think it's right to not think about or listen to the very important issues of faith and salvation, trials and triumphs just because we are still young. Those of us who are talking about the good fight of faith should be more serious. Because it's a matter of life far more important than mood or friends.
Now Abraham will be heading towards Canaan, experiencing one bitter defeat and realizing that my faith is so lowly. But if you look at verse 4, it says that he came to the place where he had built the first altar and called on the name of the Lord. Verse 4 fully expresses Abram's feelings. Canaan, who left Haran and bravely entered Canaan, leaving behind everything such as the fervent faith that first built the altar, his own foundation, and relationships he could rely on! He must have smiled bitterly as he recalled his faith at that time. We can see that our faith is truly like a reed. Anyway, Abraham was sobbing as he looked back on his first act, his first love.
Jehovah! My faith was weak. Have you forgotten your first love? I came back with a heart like the prodigal son, so please accept it.
I don't know if it's an exaggerated analogy, but Abram's feelings must have been terrible. how are we Isn't our first love, or the service, obedience, and self-renunciation we promised at the retreat, missing? Are you completely lost and living a completely irrelevant life? Just like when I was... Remember and you have to grow.
What is? We need to have an objective belief. Faith only I know. So, to say not to touch is to say that you do not believe in Jesus Christ. That is why relationships are so important for Christians.
Let's see the results. The difference between the extras and the lead roles is clearly visible. Lot's choice was different from Abram's. I confidently walk toward my good land, the land of Jordan, which is pleasing to the eye and good for food. We should also look at Lot's choice, but we'll postpone it and continue to focus on Abram. What was Abram's heart looking at Lot's choice? Originally, Lot was the son of Abram's brother Haran. He was my nephew. Abram was carrying him. Quite a sense of disappointment must have overtaken Abram. Abram, who has had no children with him since childhood, had gone to a place where he could see him because Lot had grown up and his fortune had increased. At that moment, God appeared to Abram. And confirm and expand the covenant of blessing. God is with us when our faith is tested and difficult.
Now let's summarize. We are now looking at Abram's life focusing on the window of faith.
In today's text we can look at two facts. One is that in the image of Abram who remembers his first love shown in Revelation 2:4-5, we need to look back on our past and strengthen our faith. It is the fact that I have to be myself as Abram who returns from indulging in Egypt and cries.
Another is that our faith should grow by seeing Abram's more mature acts of faith. If a person does not grow up, he is called a dwarf, and in a vulgar expression, he is called a bastard. How long has it been since the seeds of faith were sown? Aren't we children who don't grow up? How do you know that your faith has grown? It is through the objective evidence, the changed behavior of my neighbors, my family, and all of my relationships. Those who do not change at all under the guise of their innate personality, say and act as they are when they first believe, are sorry, but they are said to have faith.
I can't say. Just as Abram gave up his possessions and rights and changed as he came out of Egypt, our faith must grow. And it has to be objectively proven. ( * )