Magnificent Patience
Magnificent Patience
If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to brag about—but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. (Rom. 4:2–3)
God’s Acceptance
Abraham is a key figure in the biblical story as he illustrates God’s acceptance of us. But he also illustrates the patience of God and the lengths God is willing to go to in order to preserve His people.
Abraham illustrates that our acceptance by God is based on faith, not works. Christianity is not a “merit based” religion; it is grace based. We are justified by the works of Christ, not our own, and our responsibility is to trust in the sufficiency of those works. This is how Abraham becomes a great example to us.
God’s Patience
On the other hand, if you read through the story of Abraham, you often see some inexplicable lapses in trust. In Genesis 12 and 20, Abraham fails to trust God to preserve his life, and he lies to powerful rulers about his relationship with Sarah. In Genesis 16, he fails to consult God, choosing to go along with his wife’s plan for giving him a son by sleeping with her handmaiden Hagar. Yet at the end of each of these events, Abraham is preserved in spite of his sin. God shows His tremendous patience, reaffirming that His acceptance of us is based on His grace and purposes, not our good deeds and performance.
How about you? Have you seen God’s mercy overcome even your biggest blunders? There’s reason to live faithfully for Him but no reason to despair.
Bottom Line
If you are in Christ, take comfort. God is far more faithful to you than you are to Him.