The Call of Abraham…3 Heb. 11:8 (151)
- The Christian no longer belongs to “the world” nor is he “in the flesh.” Because our “citizenship is in heaven” Phil. 3:20, we are to live here as “strangers and pilgrims.” A practical separation from the world is demanded of us, for “the friendship of the world is enmity with God” Jas 4:4…“Be ye not unequally yoked…with unbelievers …” 2Cor. 6:14-18. So…ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…” Rom. 12:1; “Make not provision for the flesh…” Rom. 13:14; “Mortify therefore your members…” Col. 3:5.
- The claims of Christ upon His people are paramount. He reminds them that, “ye are not your own…bought with a price” 1Cor. 6:19, 20..“If any man come to Me, and hate not his father…he cannot be My disciple” Lk 14:26. “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh…” Gal. 5:24. Abraham’s descendants had settled down in Egypt—figure of the world—and after they had come under the blood of the lamb… they must leave the land of Pharaoh..“Out of Egypt have I called My Son” Matt. 2:15. “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (eternally)…” Rom. 8:13; “but he that soweth to his flesh, shall… reap corruption…” Gal. 6:8.
- “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out…” This verse, read in the light of Gen. 12:1, clearly signifies that God demanded the supreme place in Abraham’s affections. His life was no longer to be regulated by self-will, self-love, self-pleasing; self was to be entirely set aside, “crucified.” Henceforth, the will and word of God was to govern and direct him in all things. Henceforth he was to be a man without a home on earth, but seeking one in Heaven. It was contrary to nature for Abraham to leave home “not knowing whither he went.” Equally it is contrary to nature for the Christian to separate from the world and crucify the flesh. A miracle of Divine grace must be wrought within him…” Pink A.W.
- “By faith Abraham, when he was called… obeyed…” A roving faith is one which heeds the Divine commands, as well as relies upon the Divine promises. Christ is “the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” Heb. 5:9, Gen. 22:18; 23:5. Matt. 7:24, 25. Rom. 1:5; 6:17; 10:16, 2Cor. 10:5, Jas. 2:14–16, 1Pet. 1:22; 3:1; 4:17. Abraham placed himself unreservedly in the hands of God, surrendered to His lordship, and subscribed to His wisdom as best fitted to direct him. And so must we, or we shall never be “carried into Abraham’s bosom” Lk 16:22. Abraham “obeyed, and he went out.” There are two things there: Pink Arthur W
- “He obeyed” signifies the consent of his mind, “and went out” tells of his actual performance. He obeyed not only in word, but in deed. In this, he was in marked contrast from the rebellious one mentioned in Matt. 21:30, “I go, sir, and went not.” “The first act of saving faith consists in a discovery…of the infinite greatness, goodness, and… excellencies of the nature of God…to deny ourselves, to relinquish all things, and to do so accordingly” (John Owen). It must be a simple obedience in subjection to His authority, without inquiring after the reason thereof, and without objecting any scruples.
- “Observe that Abraham…obeyed God. Faith and obedience can never be severed; as the sun and the light. We read of the ‘obedience of faith’ Rom. 1:5. Obedience is faith’s daughter. Faith hath not only to do with the grace of God, but with the duty. Grace, works upon duty: ‘faith worketh by love’ Gal. 5:6; it fills the soul with the apprehensions of God’s love, and then makes use of the sweetness of love to urge us to more work or obedience. ‘I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me’ Gal. 2:20. Wilt thou not do this for God, that loved thee? for Jesus Christ, that gave Himself for thee? Faith works towards obedience by commanding the affections” (Thomas Manton, 1680).
