FAILING TO HOLD FAITH FIRMLY

GENESIS 20 FAILING TO HOLD FAITH FIRMLY It is possible for truth to be told in a way that is deceptive so that it gives a false impression. When for one reason or another, we are found in a situation in which we think it would be expedient to shade the truth by our tone of voice, or some other means, we have sinned. Sin is not merely in the words that we say, but in the intentions of our heart and mind. What is the objective in saying or doing a certain thing? What will be the expected outcome if I do, or don’t do this? What will be the final result if I take this course of action or say these things? Such questions should be considered before taking a questionable course. If for some reason we find ourselves in a position where we fear for our life, we need to remember “our times” are in the hands of the Almighty God.

Something that has worked in the past, like telling half-truths, must be guarded against. It has the potential of becoming a habit, and habits are hard to break. It is important to put deliberate faith into action when we are in questionable situations. Abraham had told the same half-truth in Egypt years before and he did the same thing again when he went into the land of the Philistines. Sinful tendencies do not go away just because we haven’t done them in the recent past.

From our minds, spring thoughts and actions that can quickly bring us down spiritually to where we sin easily. Sarah was well advanced in years and was going to have going to have a child. Perhaps Abimelech wanted to make an alliance with Abraham and to take a wife from another tribal leader was standard practice in that time in history. His own household women were withheld from conceiving by the purpose of the Lord. Sarah would have been a pledge of an alliance with Abraham who was a well- known force to be reckoned with in the area of Canaan. Abraham still had his pilgrim character, but his private army, his prestige and his wealth would have made him a person to be feared in the land of the Philistines.

Abraham had been promised by God, the land the Philistines occupied. The promises of God to His people, are not to those who do not truly know Him even though they “believe” in Him. Those who do not accept God’s universal sovereignty and do not obey Him or worship Him in spirit and in truth, may say true words and be spoken to by God. However, spiritual truth is only able to be known by spiritual faith. The desire to know heavenly things from an earthly knowledge derived by mere human reasoning, will never be fulfilled. Faith in God and His word, are far removed from the concept of putting faith in something. To trust an innate object or even a fellow human being, can easily be done without even thinking about it.

Faith in God as a Person to whom I am committed, means that without reservation, I step into a life that is unknown to me. In that new life, I am confident that “step by step,” the way will open up before me, so each day is a walk through the unknown. I can live, walk and work without knowing what is ahead and not worry about it. The things I don’t know and are beyond my capacity to do anything about, are all taken care of by the One in whom I have placed my faith.

In Old Testament times, all of life was a religion. Pagans had gods for rain, wind, seed time, growth and harvest. People who had faith in God were aware of their dependence on God for life, breath, and all things that pertained to living and dying. There wasn’t a real distinction between what was secular and what was religious. Their life-style took into account the fact they couldn’t survive without an all- wise, all-powerful, all-righteous and all-knowing God. Behavior in every action was either to fear God and obey Him, or replace Him with idols to represent powers that were greater than human beings. Some kings were deified because of their powerful position in a nation and their “life or death” authority which they took upon themselves.

Abraham thought Abimelech was one who didn’t fear God, and consequently in fear for his own life, he misrepresented the truth. God does speak to those who have some knowledge of Him even though they do not have saving faith in Him. “God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not.” Dreams, visions, pain and various ways are used by God to awaken people to the reality of God and their need of Him. Abraham thought there was no fear of God in Gerar. Abimelech was not a person of faith, but God was able to speak to him with a clear message, and he got the message. Fellowship with God is only possible for those “fear” God. Every person is “God conscious,” but not many “fear God” or “work righteousness” before Him. In grace, God stopped Abimelech from going forward into further sin.

Even though Abimelech had been deceived and never knew Sarah was Abraham’s wife, his intention was such that God had punished his household by closing the wombs of the women. Sins of intention are not overlooked or unknown to God. The consequences of Abimelech’s intention lasted only as long as Sarah was in his harem. The punishment imposed, made Abimelech know that God was with Abraham. Even though Abimelech had reason to despise Abraham, he knew Abraham’s God was One to fear and respect.

The gifts Abimelech gave to Abraham after Sarah returned, testified that he wanted a connection with the successful life of Abraham. He wanted an alliance to be maintained. Abraham had to confess his sin to Abimelech as well as God in order to return to fellowship with God and communication on a reasonable basis with Abimelech. The principle of confession in order to maintain fellowship is still the only way peace can be preserved between those involved. To cover sin leaves a cloud and barrier over any relationship. Abimelech wanted to share his land with Abraham, and yet he was not the one to whom the land was promised. Those who are associated with the people of God, are often blessed just because of that connection. That doesn’t make them children of God. People can do Christian things, say Christian words, sing Christian songs, attend a Christian church and still not be Christians.

Fear of causing offense The possibilities of sin: fear of man, selfishness, lack of trust in God, rebuke by unbelievers for inconsistency, can all happen when we act on our own without knowing the mind of God. The perils of sin: habits we onetime had, can rise up to bring about our downfall. Weakness and natural tendencies take control of us. Fellow-believers are affected because of our bad example. Unbelievers become disgusted with behavior in Christians that is worse than theirs. The persistence of sin: even though our standing in Christ is secure, our state when we sin, is not acceptable before God or man. Awareness of this fact should always keep us alert to the danger of sin around us. The protection against sin: we are accepted in the Beloved, but are not always acceptable to Him. God has provided abundant protection for us to not have to submit to sin’s attraction and attacks. We are expected to “live and walk in the Spirit.” When we do this, we will not yield to the lusts of the flesh and mind. We need to be aware of things Satan uses to lead us astray and cause us to fall.

When believers walk in the Spirit and live daily under His control and guidance, we will be willing and able to stand against the “wiles of the devil.” We will be willing and able to walk in the strength and power of God in this new life we have. “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” We will be more than conquerors through the power of Christ who loves us and lives in us.