February 25, 2018 NOTES NOT EDITED
Spirit Walkers: The Example of Abraham
Spirit Walkers: The Example of Abraham
Galatians 3:6-9
Among the ancient patriarchs of the faith, Abraham was a giant. This week, a modern giant of the faith passed from this life to the next. Billy Graham, called America’s Pastor, left this earth for a new home in heaven. Much will be said about Billy Graham in the days to come, because much can be said. The modern world has never known a man like Billy Graham with influence spanning the globe and spanning nearly eight decades. Of all that will be said of Billy Graham, nothing is more important than his faith in God—a faith exactly the same as Abraham’s. Billy said much about the day of his death, and the absolute confidence he had in God and Christ. Billy once said as the year began piling up on him,
“I think about heaven a great deal. I think about the failures in my life in the past but know they have been covered by the blood of Christ. And that gives me a great sense of confidence. I have a certainty about eternity that is a wonderful thing, and I thank God for giving me that certainty. I do not fear death. I may fear a little bit about the process, but not death itself, because I think the moment that my spirit leaves this body, I will be in the presence of the Lord.”
Every Spirit Walker that has ever walked this earth has walked by faith. In the Book of Hebrews, we have a whole list of “Spirit Walkers who walked by faith.” And, this is only a representative list. Hebrews 11:32 tells us that, “Time is too short to tell about every Spirit Walker who walked by faith.”
Twenty-four times in Hebrews 11, the word, “faith” appears. In regard to Abraham, we read these verses:
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By grace we are saved through
faith, and by faith we serve in our world.
The Bible tells us of the ancient Spirit Walkers: Abel walked by faith and gave God a pleasing
sacrifice; Enoch walked by faith and stepped right out of Mesopotamia into
Glory; Noah walked by faith and saved all of mankind; Abraham walked by faith
from his home in Ur to a land he could not even imagine. The Book of Hebrews tells us Sarah walked by
faith; Jacob walked by faith; Joseph walked by faith; Moses walked by faith;
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, the prophets, and a host of other
ancient Spirit Walkers walked by faith accomplishing impossible and
unimaginable feats of faith. Spirit
Walkers walking by faith stood before lions and were not eaten, stood in the
fire and were not burned, attacked with swords and not cut, were tortured and
not defeated, mocked and whipped but not deterred, imprisoned but never
enslaved. Ancient Spirit Walkers were
stoned, sawed in half, run through with swords, wandered destitute in
goatskins, mistreated and afflicted in every way but never did the flame of
their faith flicker or go out!
Abraham, is the quintessential Spirit Walker and the supreme example for all Spirit Walkers today. He is called the “Father of Faith.” As God’s Spirit Walkers today, we can be—we should be; we must be—examples of what it means to be “saved by grace and walk by faith.” Abraham serves as our example of what be justified by grace and walking in faith is all about.
In our previous section here in Galatians, Paul justified the doctrine of justification by pointing to the “supernatural experience” that characterizes every true believer. In our text this morning Paul justifies the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone by presenting the example of the great “Father of Our Faith,” Abraham. Paul presents his argument by showing that the same faith that saves us today and enables us to live righteous live is the same faith that saved Abraham and every Old Testament saint of God. Through the life of Abraham Paul describes justification using three comparisons with the life of the great saint, Abraham. We share the SAME FAITH, with the SAME FOUNDATION, that has the SAME FUNCTION, and we share the SAME FUTURE, as Abraham and other righteous Spirit Walkers.
Abraham, is the quintessential Spirit Walker and the supreme example for all Spirit Walkers today. He is called the “Father of Faith.” As God’s Spirit Walkers today, we can be—we should be; we must be—examples of what it means to be “saved by grace and walk by faith.” Abraham serves as our example of what be justified by grace and walking in faith is all about.
In our previous section here in Galatians, Paul justified the doctrine of justification by pointing to the “supernatural experience” that characterizes every true believer. In our text this morning Paul justifies the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone by presenting the example of the great “Father of Our Faith,” Abraham. Paul presents his argument by showing that the same faith that saves us today and enables us to live righteous live is the same faith that saved Abraham and every Old Testament saint of God. Through the life of Abraham Paul describes justification using three comparisons with the life of the great saint, Abraham. We share the SAME FAITH, with the SAME FOUNDATION, that has the SAME FUNCTION, and we share the SAME FUTURE, as Abraham and other righteous Spirit Walkers.
Our lesson this morning defends the
doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone by turning to the
example of Abraham who is called the “Father of Faith.”
We see four comparisons between
Abraham’s faith and ours. We share the
Same FAITH, with the SAME FOUNDATION that has the Same FUNCTION, and it leads
to the Same FUTURE.
1. The Same Faith (6-7)
6 Just as Abraham believed
God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, 7 then understand that those who have
faith are Abraham’s sons.
“Credited (reckoned, counted)” translates the
word, logizomai. It refers to
something being Issued, but not
activated. Salvation was issued at the
moment of Abraham’s faith; and then activated at the moment of Christ’s death
and resurrection. This is similar to how
we use credit today. We obtain something
that is not yet paid for in full. Your
sermon notes provide more information in that regard.
This must not be seen as a “quid
pro quo” situation in which Abraham gives God faith and God rewards Him with
justification, or salvation. Faith is
not a “work” of man. Eph. 2:8-9 makes it clear that
salvation is by grace through faith “and NOT of works.”
In our time-centered existence faith proceeds our salvation in the same way the presence of electricity proceeds light in a room. When a switch is activated the light comes on after to switch is flipped. That is a logical relationship—a cause leads to an effect. But, the flipping of the switch does not precede the electricity temporally. The electricity was always there—it was provided long before the switch was flipped. The work to bring light was a matter of the available electricity, not the flipping of the switch. This is an incomplete analogy as all analogies are, but it demonstrates that the cause for the light in the room was the unseen, ever-present availability of electricity. While faith may appear to logically precede our faith, it does not temporally precede it. Faith is provided by God BEFORE any flipping of the switch.
Philippians 1:27-30 further clarifies that even the faith we use to receive justification is “granted” as a gift of grace by God. The wording in the Greek of this passage is very specific and directly demonstrates faith is “graced” (granted, given, bestowed) to us in order to believe. Look carefully at this passage:
27 Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance —and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.
In our time-centered existence faith proceeds our salvation in the same way the presence of electricity proceeds light in a room. When a switch is activated the light comes on after to switch is flipped. That is a logical relationship—a cause leads to an effect. But, the flipping of the switch does not precede the electricity temporally. The electricity was always there—it was provided long before the switch was flipped. The work to bring light was a matter of the available electricity, not the flipping of the switch. This is an incomplete analogy as all analogies are, but it demonstrates that the cause for the light in the room was the unseen, ever-present availability of electricity. While faith may appear to logically precede our faith, it does not temporally precede it. Faith is provided by God BEFORE any flipping of the switch.
Philippians 1:27-30 further clarifies that even the faith we use to receive justification is “granted” as a gift of grace by God. The wording in the Greek of this passage is very specific and directly demonstrates faith is “graced” (granted, given, bestowed) to us in order to believe. Look carefully at this passage:
27 Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance —and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.
The key phrase being, “It
(that is the faith evidenced by their courage) has been given (lit.,
“graced”) to you . . . to believe in Him.”
In the same way that “suffering is a gift,” faith is also a gift
of grace.
Remember Paul asking the question earlier,
Did
you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? (3:2). Again and again, Paul hits this note that
salvation “from beginning to end is a
matter of receiving, by grace, the free gift of eternally life.” Works follow faith. Faith is not a work of righteousness.
It is absolutely essential to an understanding of salvation, or justification by grace alone through faith alone, that one realize “faith,” is itself a gift of grace. We receive grace like a light bulb receives electricity. Light, or righteous living, is the natural result of faith.
It is absolutely essential to an understanding of salvation, or justification by grace alone through faith alone, that one realize “faith,” is itself a gift of grace. We receive grace like a light bulb receives electricity. Light, or righteous living, is the natural result of faith.
There are two testaments in our
Bible but only one plan of salvation:
“salvation, or justification, by grace through faith in Christ
alone.” There is no other way and no
other Savior. All those who are saved,
that is, justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, are
justified by the SAME FAITH as Abraham and all other saints.
Abraham “believed” God before he
“did” anything for God—Before he was
circumcised, before he left his home for the promised land, and before he
sacrificed Isaac. Belief always precedes
action in regard to justification (Jam. 2:3).
It is important to point out that
Abraham was never “under the Law.” The Law had not yet come into being. In a sense, the Law does not exist today, for
Jesus completely fulfilled the Law bringing it to an absolute conclusion. One ancient writer puts it thusly, “for as then it was not yet given, so now,
having been given, it was abrogated.”
But, this is not a sufficient way
to preface the issue of the Law in regard to justification by grace alone
through faith alone. Whether the Law
existed or not, is only one aspect. The
fact must always be kept in mind that the purpose of the Law was NEVER intended
to bring a person to justification.
Justification has always been a matter of “faith.” The Greek word translated, “believed, have
faith, or faith” is used five times in three verses. Justification is a matter of “faith.”
So, let’s take a moment to define and describe “faith” effectively. Our word, “believe,” is a very poor translation for the Greek word, pisteuo (pis-too-oh). The English word, “believe,” generally refers to a “mental, or intellectual activity.” The Greek word for “faith” includes the intellectual aspect but piles upon the mere mental assent the full weight of one’s will and emotions. Our word trust is more closely a synonym for pisteuo, than the word, believe. One respected dictionary of N.T. Greek gives this definition of pisteuo, “to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance” (Louw Nida). Understood in this way, the word, “believe,” can be an accurate representation of what it means to “have faith.”
So, let’s take a moment to define and describe “faith” effectively. Our word, “believe,” is a very poor translation for the Greek word, pisteuo (pis-too-oh). The English word, “believe,” generally refers to a “mental, or intellectual activity.” The Greek word for “faith” includes the intellectual aspect but piles upon the mere mental assent the full weight of one’s will and emotions. Our word trust is more closely a synonym for pisteuo, than the word, believe. One respected dictionary of N.T. Greek gives this definition of pisteuo, “to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance” (Louw Nida). Understood in this way, the word, “believe,” can be an accurate representation of what it means to “have faith.”
Many times, Biblical words can best
be understood by how they relate to other words with the same root. We have already seen this with the word,
“justification.” Justification can better
be understood by its relationship with the English word, “righteousness.” These words share the same root. Justification is the initiation of a process
that culminates, or results in “righteous living.” Likewise, belief and faith share a similar relationship
when the full range of the word, pisteuo,
is analyzed. Belief, a mental assent to
a set of facts and propositions is one component of salvation where as “having
faith,” or “faithing” is the other side.
A person who truly believes Jesus Christ is the Lord, the Almighty God,
the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, will demonstrate that belief by
faithful living. We have visited James 2:18 several times in this
regard but it will be helpful to pay yet another visit.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. d 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. d 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.
Notice that the idea of “believing”
is used in its full range in verse 19.
There is a believing that is “with
faith” and a believing that is wholly demonic and “without” faith, or trust.
There are two sure ways to shoot at the goal of salvation and miss the target altogether. One, you can try to “live by the Law” and hope to gain eternal life on your own merit. This will fail both miserably and eternally. The other way to shoot at the target of salvation and miss miserably is to substitute an intellectual ideas or ritualistic practices for a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ based upon a complete and total trust in Him as Lord and Savior—that is, to “have faith.” We cannot “work” our way to heaven and we cannot “think” our way to heaven. We must “trust” our way to heaven.
From Genesis to Revelation there has only ever been one pathway to eternal life—faith—a full, complete, confident trust in Who Jesus is and what He did for us when He died on the cross. While our Bibles have two testaments there has always been only one “way of salvation”—grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
There are two sure ways to shoot at the goal of salvation and miss the target altogether. One, you can try to “live by the Law” and hope to gain eternal life on your own merit. This will fail both miserably and eternally. The other way to shoot at the target of salvation and miss miserably is to substitute an intellectual ideas or ritualistic practices for a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ based upon a complete and total trust in Him as Lord and Savior—that is, to “have faith.” We cannot “work” our way to heaven and we cannot “think” our way to heaven. We must “trust” our way to heaven.
From Genesis to Revelation there has only ever been one pathway to eternal life—faith—a full, complete, confident trust in Who Jesus is and what He did for us when He died on the cross. While our Bibles have two testaments there has always been only one “way of salvation”—grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
2. The Same Foundation (8a)
8 Now the Scripture saw in advance.
In our first sermon from chapter 3, we saw how our “supernatural experiences” justify our salvation. Gal. 3:5 says, “God [does] supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?
8 Now the Scripture saw in advance.
In our first sermon from chapter 3, we saw how our “supernatural experiences” justify our salvation. Gal. 3:5 says, “God [does] supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Spirit Walkers begin with a
supernatural experience and these experiences continue throughout our walk of
faith. They come in many ways from visions,
to dreams, to a prophetic word, or other operations of the Holy Spirit in our
lives. The Word of God speaks often of
“miraculous” experiences in the life of believers.
I believe in miracles. We saw how miraculous, supernatural experiences justify our justification by grace through faith. We must, however, always subject any experience to the scrutiny of Scripture. One passage admonishes us in this way (1Jn. 4:1):
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
We have mentioned the “Five Solas” which laid the foundation for the Reformation and provide the superstructure for our understanding the doctrine of salvation. The “Five Solas” (sola being Latin for “alone”) are: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, Scripture Alone, to the Glory of God Alone. (Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus, Sola Scriptura, and Soli Deo Gloriam). These were birthed in the Reformation but would be expanded and defined through the 20th century.
These “solae” (solas, Anglicized) were in response to the practice of the Catholic Church which added human works to the doctrine of salvation. The Reformers reacted with the solas.
Each of the solas stand on equal footing theologically. They form a comprehensive whole. Sola Scriptura is unique in that it is through “Scripture alone” that we have the written will of God for our lives, immutable and indisputable. Through Sola Scriptura we understand the other solas. Scripture is the rule, or measure (canon, “reed”) by which experience is measured and salvation is understood. It is the Scripture that gives us the basis for the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. This does not mean that “salvation is not without reasonable foundations.” Paul addresses the logical aspect of justification by grace alone through faith alone in his next sermon.
Without Scripture, our experiences can deceive us and our reason will disappoint us. Paul shows here in this passage that Scripture is no mere collections of human anecdotes and philosophical analysis. Scripture is “supernatural.” Notice Paul says in verse 8:
“The Scripture foresaw (NIV).” The word “foresaw” (HCSB, saw in advance) demonstrates the supernatural nature of the Bible that not only records what happened but “what WILL happen.” Prophecy is the most significant way in which the supernatural nature of the Bible can be seen. What else but the “Supernatural,” could account for Daniel looking down the telescope of the future and predicting the death of Jesus 483 years in the future? (Dan. 9:24-27).
I believe in miracles. We saw how miraculous, supernatural experiences justify our justification by grace through faith. We must, however, always subject any experience to the scrutiny of Scripture. One passage admonishes us in this way (1Jn. 4:1):
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
We have mentioned the “Five Solas” which laid the foundation for the Reformation and provide the superstructure for our understanding the doctrine of salvation. The “Five Solas” (sola being Latin for “alone”) are: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, Scripture Alone, to the Glory of God Alone. (Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus, Sola Scriptura, and Soli Deo Gloriam). These were birthed in the Reformation but would be expanded and defined through the 20th century.
These “solae” (solas, Anglicized) were in response to the practice of the Catholic Church which added human works to the doctrine of salvation. The Reformers reacted with the solas.
Each of the solas stand on equal footing theologically. They form a comprehensive whole. Sola Scriptura is unique in that it is through “Scripture alone” that we have the written will of God for our lives, immutable and indisputable. Through Sola Scriptura we understand the other solas. Scripture is the rule, or measure (canon, “reed”) by which experience is measured and salvation is understood. It is the Scripture that gives us the basis for the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. This does not mean that “salvation is not without reasonable foundations.” Paul addresses the logical aspect of justification by grace alone through faith alone in his next sermon.
Without Scripture, our experiences can deceive us and our reason will disappoint us. Paul shows here in this passage that Scripture is no mere collections of human anecdotes and philosophical analysis. Scripture is “supernatural.” Notice Paul says in verse 8:
“The Scripture foresaw (NIV).” The word “foresaw” (HCSB, saw in advance) demonstrates the supernatural nature of the Bible that not only records what happened but “what WILL happen.” Prophecy is the most significant way in which the supernatural nature of the Bible can be seen. What else but the “Supernatural,” could account for Daniel looking down the telescope of the future and predicting the death of Jesus 483 years in the future? (Dan. 9:24-27).
You will notice that the word, “Scripture,” is being used metaphorically, or anthropomorphically, as a “Person” taking action, “forseeing.” This is not accidental or merely stylistic. This is common in Jewish thought. The Scriptures contain the very Essence, or breath of the Person of God. They are not mere written records. They are the very “breath” of God (2Tim. 3:16). They are “life itself.” God “personally” manifests Himself through Scripture.
Jn. 6:63 The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
While Abraham did not have the “written” word of God, the foundation for His faith was the “spoken” word of God. The words, “told the good news (gospel) ahead of time to,” translate a single word in the Greek. The foundation for the saving faith of Abraham is the same as the saving faith for us today, “the Word of God, or Scriptures.”
3. The Same Function (8b)
We are called to “be a blessing to all nations.”
(1) The strategy of our faith is “blessing others.”
A faith that doesn’t bless others doesn’t glorify God. A faith that gets stuck in our own heart stinks in the nostrils of God. We shouldn’t “hide our light under a basket,” but in fact we not only hide our light under a basket, we put the basket in the closet and lock the door!
FANAFI.
Anybody remember that word? I’ve
preached on it twice in the last nine years.
It stands for, “F A Need
And Fill It!” The world doesn’t care what we know, until it
knows we care. Our dear Brother James
explains this for us:
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. d 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.
These are strong words—even harsh
words if we are not living out the faith we have been given. They are true words. They are important words. A beloved preacher pointed out the tragedy of
faith that doesn’t work, when he said, “We
need to be careful that the living faith of the dead doesn't become the dead
faith of the living”
(V. Havner).
John 3:16 is a well-known verse: “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Many church-goers know “Who” saved them—“For God . . .” Most church-goers know “Why” God saved them, “He so loved the world.” But precious few church-goers live as if they have any understanding of “What” they were saved for. We were not saved to go to heaven, but saved to bring heaven to earth! The Great Commission does not say, “Come to church,” but it says, “Go into all the world.” Go, be a blessing. That’s WHAT faith is for. That’s the purpose of faith.
John 3:16 is a well-known verse: “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Many church-goers know “Who” saved them—“For God . . .” Most church-goers know “Why” God saved them, “He so loved the world.” But precious few church-goers live as if they have any understanding of “What” they were saved for. We were not saved to go to heaven, but saved to bring heaven to earth! The Great Commission does not say, “Come to church,” but it says, “Go into all the world.” Go, be a blessing. That’s WHAT faith is for. That’s the purpose of faith.
I have often felt God leading me to
buy a big house with maybe five rooms.
This house would be a place where someone who is homeless could live,
rent free while they go through a discipleship and training program. Over the course of a year they would be
assisted in finding a job and then finding a place of their own. We could not
help every homeless person, but we could help some.
(2)
The scope of our
faith is reaching “all nations.” Faith is
a “big tool” for a “big job.” We are called to bless all the
nations, and we can’t even seem to function well enough to bless our own
community! Faith’s work is not finished
until all the nations have been preached to and reached (Matt. 24:14):
14 This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.
14 This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.
Perhaps that’s the strategy of most churches—keep the nations from hearing the gospel, and it will keep judgment from coming. We can keep on living our lives our way for our pleasure. But, it doesn’t work that way. Death has a way of putting an abrupt end to such a selfish strategy. We will all stand before God and give an account of how we used the faith He gave us to “reach all the nations.”
We share the same faith as Abraham. Our faith has the same foundation. Our faith has the same “function.” We must “be a blessing to the nations.” We, however, have an even greater responsibility than Abraham. We must reach even higher than the O.T. saints because we are standing on the shoulders of spiritual giants. “I can’t” should never cross the lips of a blood-bought, Spirit-filled, faith-living Spirit Walker.
3. The Same Future (9)
Our text not only calls us to “be a blessing” but also to “receive a blessing.”
Our text not only calls us to “be a blessing” but also to “receive a blessing.”
9 So those who have faith are
blessed with Abraham, who had faith.
Gymnast Gabrielle "Gabby" Douglas became the first
African-American to win the Olympic gold medal as individual all-around
champion when she was 16 years old, at the Summer Olympics in London in 2012. She is incredibly talented. She is incredibly gracious and humble
also. She said this shortly after
winning her gold medal:
“I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”
“The blessings fall down!” I don’t think she was only thinking of the fame and fortune which follows becoming an Olympic Gold Medal Winner. Material blessings are nice, and Abraham had them a plenty; but the real blessings are more than tangible, temporary stuff. The ultimate blessing is heaven! This is why the “Roll Call of the Faithful” in Hebrews 11 we read earlier says this about Abraham:
10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Spirit Walkers are “long range thinkers.” We do everything with an eye toward eternity.
What do you do if your net worth is 124 billion dollars? You build a 10,000 year clock inside a mountain. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, has been working on this project for six years with Danny Hillis who first conceived of the clock in 1989. The minute hand ticks once a year. The hour hand moves every 100 years; and the Cuckoo comes out every 1000 years. The clock is designed to be a symbol of “long range thinking.”
Well, I can’t think of anything longer to think about than “eternity.” That’s what we continue to reflect on as we move through the Book of Galatians learning what it means to be Spirit Walkers. We need to be “long range thinkers,” seeking eternal blessings like Abraham.
“I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”
“The blessings fall down!” I don’t think she was only thinking of the fame and fortune which follows becoming an Olympic Gold Medal Winner. Material blessings are nice, and Abraham had them a plenty; but the real blessings are more than tangible, temporary stuff. The ultimate blessing is heaven! This is why the “Roll Call of the Faithful” in Hebrews 11 we read earlier says this about Abraham:
10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Spirit Walkers are “long range thinkers.” We do everything with an eye toward eternity.
What do you do if your net worth is 124 billion dollars? You build a 10,000 year clock inside a mountain. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, has been working on this project for six years with Danny Hillis who first conceived of the clock in 1989. The minute hand ticks once a year. The hour hand moves every 100 years; and the Cuckoo comes out every 1000 years. The clock is designed to be a symbol of “long range thinking.”
Well, I can’t think of anything longer to think about than “eternity.” That’s what we continue to reflect on as we move through the Book of Galatians learning what it means to be Spirit Walkers. We need to be “long range thinkers,” seeking eternal blessings like Abraham.
A
Spirit Walker walks by faith just like Abraham.
We share the same faith, based on the same foundation, and with the same
function. Just like Abraham, we are
called to “be a blessing to all nations.” By living our faith, and
sharing our faith with others, not only are THEY blessed, but WE are blessed,
and God gets all the glory. It is the
ultimate “win-win-win” situation.
Justification leads to being “born-again.” It is the initiation of the process of salvation that moves through sanctification (righteous living) and glorification (eternal bliss forever in heaven). While the same saving faith is “available” to all persons, only the faith of those who have been “justified” (made righteous in God’s sight) by grace through complete trust in God, have that “available” faith, “activated.” “Many are called; few are chosen” (Mt. 22:14).
6 Consider Abraham: “He believed God [had faith in God], and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gal. 3:6, NIV).
Justification leads to being “born-again.” It is the initiation of the process of salvation that moves through sanctification (righteous living) and glorification (eternal bliss forever in heaven). While the same saving faith is “available” to all persons, only the faith of those who have been “justified” (made righteous in God’s sight) by grace through complete trust in God, have that “available” faith, “activated.” “Many are called; few are chosen” (Mt. 22:14).
6 Consider Abraham: “He believed God [had faith in God], and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gal. 3:6, NIV).
Three
times in the Bible we find the words, “The just (or righteous) shall live by
faith” (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38).
Justification initiates a walk of faith and that walk of faith takes us all the way to the Pearly Gates of the Heavenly City. That is the FUTURE that Abraham looked forward to, and we share that same future as Abraham’s sons and daughters when, as Spirit Walkers, we walk by faith.
Spirit Walkers follow Abraham’s example of faith.
Justification initiates a walk of faith and that walk of faith takes us all the way to the Pearly Gates of the Heavenly City. That is the FUTURE that Abraham looked forward to, and we share that same future as Abraham’s sons and daughters when, as Spirit Walkers, we walk by faith.
Spirit Walkers follow Abraham’s example of faith.
