Based on Romans 4 (New King James Version)
“What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.’ Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? 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 still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 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. And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”
For how many things do we fight for today? We fight for many things; certain things are good, certain things are neutral, and certain things are not so good. But, for all these things that are fought for, do we weigh or evaluate them somehow, to see if they are worth fighting for? Is it worth sacrificing yourself for them?
Let’s start with those things that are not good, at least before the eyes of God (if we say that God matters to us). How many folks fight to keep a bad habit, working for and spending their money on things that harm them instead of being good for them? At least here in the United States, vices are not cheap. A pack of cigarettes is more expensive than a gallon (3.75 liters) of milk. Beer or an alcoholic beverage is more expensive than a bottle of water or even soda pop. And well, why even talk about drugs and how expensive they can be? Or, what is sacrificed by keeping a bad or toxic relationship, whether it be a romantic one or a friendship? What is sacrificed when having vices that are involved with illegal games and/or gambling? And like these things, there are many others that God does not approve, because in the end, they harm people and everything that surrounds them. Is it worth it?
Now, let’s continue with things that are not bad. How much does a person sacrifice for a career, or for a business, that one day it’s here, but in the end, maybe it’s there or maybe it isn’t, or it cannot be worked on or practiced? How much is sacrificed for children that may or may not appreciate the hard work and effort dedicated to them? How much does a person sacrifice to have and keep a relationship, that today maybe things are ok, but tomorrow, that other person may change their mind and can destroy the other person’s heart, and even break a home in a wild and/or selfish moment? Is it worth it?
The issue is that good and bad things are fought for, and everything has a price. And in the end, maybe people wind up completely empty-handed, losing everything they have fought for. They lose what they sacrificed, and they lose what they fought for. Things can end up being very empty and incomplete. And, even though everything may turn out fine, death ends everything. We can’t take anything with us, neither money, nor degrees, or a marriage, etc. We leave the same way we arrived: with absolutely nothing. This is what faith in God is about, as what we read in today’s passage. When we put our faith in God, completely, without reservations, like Abraham did (the father of faith), you fight for that faith that will not leave you empty-handed. On the contrary, you will obtain the forgiveness of your sins, eternal life, and probably many other things; things that neither this world, nor anyone or anything in it can give you. Everything that you see with your eyes will one day pass, but God remains forever, and all who faithfully put their faith in God will also remain forever. Faith in Christ is worth fighting for! For it is written: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. When you truly believe God, His promises, and what He teaches in His Word; you fight for Him, just as Abraham did. Abraham was not cold or lukewarm in his faith (as many Christians are today, that allow themselves to be deceived, manipulated, turning into the puppets of their own lust, including Satan). Abraham lived with his eyes set more on the Invisible One than on what was here. It is all for God’s glory, but we would not have any hope if it wasn’t for Abraham’s determined faith, the one God called “friend”.
The end is this: If you say you believe in God, then follow Him faithfully (not just in words, or letting yourself be manipulated by this world, by their opinions, and delights). Because: “…without faith it is impossible to please Him…” Faith is not spoken; it’s lived, and it should be lived fully in every area of our lives. So then, do you have a living faith? Lord bless! John