THE FRUITFULNESS OF FAITH. Hebrews 11:11-12 Abraham personally experienced faith’s fruitfulness [v.11-12] when Isaac, his son of promise, was born to him and Sarah after many years had passed since he was told he would have a son named Isaac. From Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, came the nation of Israel, an influential nation out of proportion to its size. Even today, the nation of Israel considers Abraham its father. Abraham’s faith was the result of his assessment of God’s character. His name appears in twenty-seven books of the Bible as a man of faith.
Abraham knew and trusted God, even though he had his fears and failures. Because he feared death, he failed to talk over his actions with God and seek His direction. In times of failure [Gen.12:10], “Abram went down into Egypt,” from which he was “sent away” by the king’s men. By failing to trust God for his protection, he resorted to lying and deception. He also failed in his relationship with Sarah and took Hagar. There were other areas where his faith lapsed.
Even though it seemed unrealistic for Abraham and Sarah to have a child at their advanced age, they believed the promise of God. Sarah doubted at first, but after considering it was God who promised she would have a son, she rested her hope in God alone. By nature, Abraham was “as good as dead” as far as procreation, but he still believed God meant what He said when He told Abraham he would have a son.
The seed of Abraham has remained identifiable for over 3000 years, even though they have been despised and many attempts to annihilate them have failed. The influence of the earthly seed of Abraham, the Jews, who came from him physically, has been impressive intellectually, morally, and culturally throughout human society. As a small nation in size and population, the impact of Abraham’s seed has had a great effect on all the nations of the earth.
Even greater influence is seen in the children of Abraham by faith. Through his seed, the spiritual progeny of Abraham have numbered in the millions over the centuries, believing in God and receiving eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One man and his wife believed that God would do what He promised, even though, by nature, it seemed impossible.
For us to live fruitful lives, we must be strong in faith, serve the Lord, and count that “God is faithful who has promised.” A serious consideration of God’s moral character and His faithfulness does not create emotion or religious feelings, but a clear, calm assessment of what God says in His word. If we believe in Him, we live by faith in Him. If we don’t believe His word, we make Him out to be a liar, and the truth is not in us.