Father Abraham: Father of Faith or Father of Righteousness?

Father Abraham had many sons and many sons had Father Abraham. And I am one of them and so are you, if you believe.

We can be made Righteous through Faith. Father Abraham is our example.

Genesis 15:6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Romans 4:9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”

Romans 4:10-13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Galatians 3:5-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

What exactly is it that we are to have Faith in? Like Abraham we must believe, but what are we to believe? Believe in the one who God sent…. Jesus Christ. Believe in Jesus and receive what He did on the cross for yourself. He died on the cross to wash away your sins, not just forgive, but wash away. He rose again that we might also be with Him forever. He promised to be with us in this life and in the next. We can be forgiven and receive power to walk in righteousness through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. How you ask? The Apostle Peter tells us how in Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repenting shows you believe. In Baptism, you participate in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for yourself. When you come out of the baptismal waters you are born again, a new creation in Christ Jesus. You have now been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Colossians 1:13 (NASB) For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

After you have been born again and adopted into the family of God, you are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower you to be His witnesses and live a holy and righteous life.

How is this all possible? Through Faith! Like Father Abraham, you must believe! Without faith it is impossible to please God, but with faith we become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

So Dear Ones, walk in Faith today. Believe God that you are what He says you are. You are righteous in Him. You are saved in Him. You are forgiven in Him. You are healed in Him. You have every need met in Him. Just believe and receive. Until next time….

Love and Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Miri Gyrfalcon