SCRIPTURE: Genesis 17
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” [Genesis 17:1-2]
God’s desire is to repopulate this world with people who live honourable, loving and morally upright lives – “walk before me faithfully and be blameless!”
God is not just being a demanding overlord, He wants to fill this world with blessing and joy, and will do His part to make this happen… but we must do our part.
He sets up this “covenant” (an agreement, like a marriage, with it’s own painful ‘wedding ring’ symbol – circumcision), and is committed to fulfilling His part in it.
Abraham’s children are those who, like Abraham, are committed to walking before God in a faithful, blameless way.
“Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.
You are doing the works of your own father.” [John 8:39-41]
Jesus challenges these religious leaders who consider themselves to be Abraham’s children because their are biological heirs (Jewish) and because they are circumcised.
He points out that critically important part of this covenant relationship is how they live, what they do – “walk before me faithfully and be blameless!”
By looking at their actions, Jesus shows that in their hearts they are far from God, and from Abraham: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [John 8:42-44]
John the Baptist makes the same accusation: John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [Luke 3:7-8]
It matters not if you are circumcised or baptized, if you were born into a Jewish or Christian family, or if you go to synagogue or church – what matters is how you live before God – “walk before me faithfully and be blameless!”
God still wants to repopulate this world with people who live honourable, loving and morally upright lives.
People who tell the truth, who respect others, who keep their promises, who are generous and sexually moral and forgiving, who do not steal or cheat or hurt…
Jesus died for our forgiveness (we have all failed in these ways), but He rose again for our freedom – we may now live new lives with His help, with His Spirit.
We have everything we need to live like Abraham’s children, to “walk before me faithfully and be blameless!”
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for forgiving me for my sin, and thank You for Your Spirit Who helps me live like You. Help me to “walk before You faithfully and be blameless!”