The Faith of Abraham

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:20-21

Many people claim to have faith in Jesus and the Bible, but their faith is only in the realm of the mind. That is called head-faith. Having head-faith is like having “Thomas faith.” When Thomas heard that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, he found it very difficult to believe that his Master was really alive. All his physical senses and human reasoning told him that Jesus was already dead (John 20:24-29). He saw Him crucified on the cross. He saw His lifeless body buried in the tomb. His natural, human faith said, “It is impossible for a dead man to come back to life. I’m not going to believe it unless I can see and feel Jesus for myself.” Headfaith is just an intellectual acceptance, or mental assent, of certain facts and doctrines. This is not true Bible faith at all. And it will never produce results and changes in the lives of people.

What we all need is “Abraham faith” or heart-faith. Abraham did not consider mere physical knowledge or natural facts. He only valued the spiritual truth of God’s Word. While you should not deny the problems and pains you may be experiencing in life, you must look beyond them to God’s promises. Real faith says, “If God says it is so, it is so!” Although Abraham was already 100 years old and still childless, he stood on God’s promise to him. God had said, “For I have made you a father of many nations” (Rom. 4:16-17). That was more than enough for him. His faith perceived as reality what was not revealed to his physical senses.

To believe is a strong decision to trust God and His Word no matter what the circumstances may say. Abraham had already decided, “God is going to give me a son. Period!” He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief or second thoughts. He was fully convinced that God would perform as He had promised to him (4:20-21). And while waiting for his dream to come to pass, Abraham kept on praising God by giving Him glory all the time.

Eventually, the boy Isaac was born to his wife Sarah! Decide today not to be weak in faith. Don’t hold on to the attitude that “seeing is believing.” Be a person that believes in the promises of God first, having faith that you will see them come to pass later on.