Abraham enjoyed several compliments in the Bible. Fancy the idea that God called him a friend. ““But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.” Isaiah‬ 41‬:8‬ NKJV‬. Growing up in the Baptist circle, it is a common thing to hear Abraham addressed as “the father of faith”. That was the interpretation given to Romans 4:11 – “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” Romans‬ 4‬:11‬ NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“The fact remains that our belief is demonstrated by how much we are willing to obey. Those who want to enjoy the blessing of Abraham must also learn to walk with God with unreserved obedience.”

We can add that Abraham was a model in obedience. He believed when it was humanly hopeless to do so, and obeyed when it was difficult to so do. He obeyed when God told him to move at 75. His obedience came to the fore again on the issue of circumcision. God introduced this as a token of the covenant He made with Abraham. All male children in Abraham’s house must be circumcised, beginning with him of course. The Bible captures Abraham’s response to this: “In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son” (Genesis 17:26). The value of this obedient step is further enhanced when one considers the fact that Abraham was already 99 years at that time. The fact remains that our belief is demonstrated by how much we are willing to obey. Those who want to enjoy the blessing of Abraham must also learn to walk with God with unreserved obedience.