The Destination Isn't The Goal
Walking by Faith: Lessons from Abraham's Journey
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. These familiar words from Hebrews 11 introduce us to one of the most powerful concepts in Christianity - living by faith.
Abraham stands as one of the greatest examples of faith in action. When God called him to leave everything familiar and journey to an unknown land, he obeyed without hesitation. This remarkable obedience continues to glorify God thousands of years later.
What Does Real Faith Look Like?
Before diving into Abraham's story, we need to understand some fundamental truths about faith:
The "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 isn't about celebrating human accomplishments. Unlike worldly halls of fame that honor human achievement, this passage celebrates what God accomplished through people who simply trusted Him.
Why Was Abraham's Journey So Remarkable?
Consider what Abraham faced when God called him:
How many of us would jump in our car and start driving without any idea where we're going? We rely on technology, maps, and planning. Abraham had none of these advantages - he simply had God's word.
How Did Abraham Respond to God's Call?
"By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed. And he went out, not knowing whither he went."
Abraham's obedience came from his confidence in the One giving the instructions. His actions continue to glorify God today because he believed. The obedience wouldn't have existed without God giving him something authoritative, absolute, and almighty to listen to.
Abraham wasn't special - God's Word was special. It was so powerful that it caused a man to uproot his entire household and start walking in an unknown direction.
How Are Christians Called to Live Differently Today?
We're called to live in ways that seem strange to the world around us. The Bible instructs us to walk by faith, even when we don't know where the road ends. The voice of the Instructor is enough.
While Abraham heard God's voice directly, we have something he didn't have - the complete, infallible, perfect Word of God. This should be sufficient for our obedience.
What Is the True Goal of Faith?
Here's a crucial truth: the destination is not the goal. The goal of living by faith is obedience itself.
We may never see the destination or outcome of our faithful actions in this lifetime. Abraham never saw God's promises fulfilled in his flesh. He didn't see:
Yet none of that mattered to him. He simply obeyed. That's faith.
How Do We Know If Our Faith Is Real?
If faith doesn't produce obedience, it isn't real faith. As James 2:17-18 tells us: "Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone... Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
What are these works? Simply obedience to what God has said. Patience (or long-suffering) is also a product of faith - trusting in what you're waiting for, even when you can't see it yet.
Why Didn't Abraham Build a City?
Abraham could have easily built a permanent settlement. He had wealth and manpower. After Isaac was born, he could have decided he was done living in tents. After all, he was in his own land, given to him by God Himself.
Yet he continued to dwell in tabernacles and tents. Why? Because he wasn't looking for earthly comfort or permanence. He was "looking for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
The greatest danger for believers today is becoming comfortable where we are - liking our jobs, houses, possessions, and schedules so much that we resist God's call to something different. That's not faith; that's just abiding in comfort.
Life Application
The challenge before us is clear: Are we willing to follow God even when we don't know the destination? Are we more concerned with our comfort than with our obedience?
This week, consider these questions:
True faith isn't about knowing the destination; it's about trusting the One who gives the directions. Let's commit to walking by faith, one obedient step at a time, knowing that our obedience today glorifies God both now and for generations to come.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. These familiar words from Hebrews 11 introduce us to one of the most powerful concepts in Christianity - living by faith.
Abraham stands as one of the greatest examples of faith in action. When God called him to leave everything familiar and journey to an unknown land, he obeyed without hesitation. This remarkable obedience continues to glorify God thousands of years later.
What Does Real Faith Look Like?
Before diving into Abraham's story, we need to understand some fundamental truths about faith:
- Nothing we can do produces anything worthwhile on our own - our very best is as filthy rags to God
- Faith is the key to accessing God's supernatural power
- Real faith produces action in the believer's life
- Faith isn't about what we can do, but what we believe God is doing, has done, or will do in and through us
The "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 isn't about celebrating human accomplishments. Unlike worldly halls of fame that honor human achievement, this passage celebrates what God accomplished through people who simply trusted Him.
Why Was Abraham's Journey So Remarkable?
Consider what Abraham faced when God called him:
- He had to go without knowing his destination
- He had no maps, no GPS, no travel guides
- He couldn't research where he was going
- He had no timeline for arrival
- He didn't know what he would do when he got there
How many of us would jump in our car and start driving without any idea where we're going? We rely on technology, maps, and planning. Abraham had none of these advantages - he simply had God's word.
How Did Abraham Respond to God's Call?
"By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed. And he went out, not knowing whither he went."
Abraham's obedience came from his confidence in the One giving the instructions. His actions continue to glorify God today because he believed. The obedience wouldn't have existed without God giving him something authoritative, absolute, and almighty to listen to.
Abraham wasn't special - God's Word was special. It was so powerful that it caused a man to uproot his entire household and start walking in an unknown direction.
How Are Christians Called to Live Differently Today?
We're called to live in ways that seem strange to the world around us. The Bible instructs us to walk by faith, even when we don't know where the road ends. The voice of the Instructor is enough.
While Abraham heard God's voice directly, we have something he didn't have - the complete, infallible, perfect Word of God. This should be sufficient for our obedience.
What Is the True Goal of Faith?
Here's a crucial truth: the destination is not the goal. The goal of living by faith is obedience itself.
We may never see the destination or outcome of our faithful actions in this lifetime. Abraham never saw God's promises fulfilled in his flesh. He didn't see:
- The vast nation that came from his descendants
- Jerusalem or Bethlehem
- The Temple of Solomon
- The glory of heaven
Yet none of that mattered to him. He simply obeyed. That's faith.
How Do We Know If Our Faith Is Real?
If faith doesn't produce obedience, it isn't real faith. As James 2:17-18 tells us: "Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone... Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
What are these works? Simply obedience to what God has said. Patience (or long-suffering) is also a product of faith - trusting in what you're waiting for, even when you can't see it yet.
Why Didn't Abraham Build a City?
Abraham could have easily built a permanent settlement. He had wealth and manpower. After Isaac was born, he could have decided he was done living in tents. After all, he was in his own land, given to him by God Himself.
Yet he continued to dwell in tabernacles and tents. Why? Because he wasn't looking for earthly comfort or permanence. He was "looking for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
The greatest danger for believers today is becoming comfortable where we are - liking our jobs, houses, possessions, and schedules so much that we resist God's call to something different. That's not faith; that's just abiding in comfort.
Life Application
The challenge before us is clear: Are we willing to follow God even when we don't know the destination? Are we more concerned with our comfort than with our obedience?
This week, consider these questions:
- What has God been asking you to do that requires faith?
- Are there areas in your life where comfort has replaced obedience?
- If God asked you to make a major change today, would you respond like Abraham?
- What "city" are you truly looking for - earthly security or God's eternal kingdom?
True faith isn't about knowing the destination; it's about trusting the One who gives the directions. Let's commit to walking by faith, one obedient step at a time, knowing that our obedience today glorifies God both now and for generations to come.
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