The father of faith

Romans 4:16 NLT

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

Abraham is very much lauded in Scripture and yet he his life is littered with faults and failings.

He lied his way out of a tight spot when in Egypt.

Genesis 12:11-13 NLT

As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, "Look, you are a very beautiful woman. [12] When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife. Let's kill him; then we can have her!' [13] So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you."

He tried to fulfill God's promise of a son via sleeping with Sarah's servant Hagar (at Sarah's behest).

Yet, even with his failings, God values his belief. So much so that it is credited to him as righteousness!

The Lord is always on the look out for believers - those who will take Him at His Word.

It should be a great encouragement to us feeble mortals that the Bible holds out fault ridden Abraham as the father of faith.

Do I believe that God is faithful to His Word? Absolutely! Am I perfect? Absolutely NOT!

But I'm an inheritor of the promises of God by my 110% belief in the Lord Jesus.

Today, marvel at the grace of God who has grafted us into the promise of forgiveness and mercy found in Christ Jesus.

There's a special role in Heaven for Abraham, as Jesus illustrated in the following passage:

Luke 16:22-31 NLT

"Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, [23] and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. [24] "The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.' [25] "But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.' [27] "Then the rich man said, 'Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home. [28] For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.' [29] "But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.' [30] "The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.' [31] "But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"