| Genesis 17:24 24 Abraham was ninety nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.1 | |||||||||
1 Abraham took Ishmael his son and all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin on the very same day, as God had told him. Abraham was ninety nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Circumcision is painful, but notice: Abraham did not procrastinate, he immediately obeyed. The Lord told Abraham: In your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. Gen 22:18. By obedient faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place that he would after receive for an inheritance, went out in obedience, not knowing where he went. When tested, by obedient faith Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son. By obedient faith Abraham painfully circumcised himself and all the males of his household. Abraham is credited as being the father of all those who are justified by faith; but look! Abraham's faith was to obey God's voice.
Gentle reader: faith without obedience is lip service. Obedience is the evidence of faith; the result of persistent obedience is purity, holiness, cleanliness, and the fruit of the Spirit. The Lord Jesus said: Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you? Luke 6:46. Faith without works of loving obedience to the commands of the Lord, is make-believe Christianity and is a faith that is dead. Faith that doesn't purify is the hypocrites' faith. Salvation claimed, while still sinning, is the devil's covenant of death, a lie: Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with hell will not stand. Isa 28:18. For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. 1 Thes 4:7. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Heb 12:14. By your steadfast endurance do you possess your soul. Luke 21:19. What steadfast endurance? Steadfast endurance on the cross, steadfast endurance in tribulation, steadfast endurance in obedience, steadfast endurance in seeking, steadfast endurance in self-denial.
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