 Three global religions consider Abraham as the father of their faith. Because of a call from God, he lived a life at odds with his family, society, and culture. Let’s learn about it in Genesis 11:27-12:9.
Genesis 1-11 described human’s spiritual decay. But one ray of hope, a single family, still passed on the knowledge of God: the family of Seth (Genesis 4:25), from whom came Noah and Terah, the father of Abraham. At that time, the culture was polytheistic; even Terah worshiped other gods (Joshua 24:2). Fortunately, his son Abraham followed God. But Abraham’s wife, Sarai, was barren. So, this ray was flickering out, spiritually and physically. Then God called Abraham. It was a call of grace because Abraham didn’t deserve the call. Abraham wasn’t qualified. The call changed him. The call was radical. God told Abraham to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household and go “to the land I will show you” (12:1). Note that at that time, there was no Google map. By faith, Abraham went, not knowing where (Hebrews 11:8). God promised Abraham that he would be a great nation, and all peoples on earth would be blessed through him. But Abraham never witnessed this. For his entire life, Abraham lived between God’s promises and the reality. He might have been more comfortable just staying back in his father’s land, but instead he listened to God. Over thousands of years, all the promises gradually are coming true. Like Abraham, we follow God by faith. Our life is between God’s promise and the reality. We may be more comfortable just living our old life. But all of God’s promises eventually will come true. God promised that through Christ (who left His Father’s house, came on earth to suffer and die for us), we can be welcomed back to the Father’s house, with all the glory and blessing. God’s call does not fit into our agenda. God’s call probably challenges major aspects of our lives. God’s call probably will take us out of our comfort zone. But trusting God’s call provides real security and gives us entirely new lives with radical new purposes. Trusting God will bring us to the ultimate promised-land. Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/real-security-and-the-call-of-god-5229/ 上帝对亚伯拉罕的千年应许 全球性的三大宗教都以亚伯拉罕为信仰之父。因为上帝的呼召，他过着与家庭，社会和当时文化相抵触的生活。让我们从创世纪11：27-12：9学习亚伯拉罕的生命。 创世纪1-11描述了人类的属灵衰退。但如一线微光的希望，有一个家庭仍然传递着对上帝的认识，这就是塞特的家族. 创世纪4:25。 诺亚和特拉便是从它而来。 特拉是亚伯拉罕的父亲。那时的文化是多神教，甚至连特拉都崇拜其它的神灵. 约书亚记 24：2。所幸的是他的儿子亚伯拉罕跟随上帝。但亚伯拉罕的妻子撒莱却不能生育。所以，这束微光在属灵上和肉体上都在渐渐熄灭。 就在这时, 上帝呼召亚伯拉罕。这是恩典的召唤，因为亚伯拉罕不够资格，不配得到这个呼召。然而，这个呼召改变了他的一生。 这也是一个根本而彻底的使命。上帝告诉亚伯拉罕离开熟悉的本土、本族和父家，“往我所要指示你的地方去.” 创世纪12：1。 请注意当时还没有谷歌地图。亚伯拉罕凭着信心就去了，虽然不知道要去哪里. 希伯来书11：8。 上帝应许亚伯拉罕他将成为一个伟大的国家，世上的万族都将通过他蒙福。但亚伯拉罕直到死亡都没有看到这一天。 亚伯拉罕的一生都生活在上帝的应许与现实之间。如果他居住在父亲的土地上，他的生活可能会更舒适和容易，但是他听从了上帝。 经过几千年，上帝所有的应许都逐渐成真。 像亚伯拉罕一样，我们凭着信心跟随上帝。我们活在上帝的应许与现实之间。如果过着像以往一样的生活, 我们可能会更加舒适。但上帝的应许将逐渐应验。 基督离开了天父的家，来到世上为我们受苦受死。上帝应许籍着基督我们可以回到天父家里, 得到所有的荣耀和福份。 上帝的呼召并非总与我们的计划一致。上帝的呼召可能影响和挑战我们大部分的生活，或许会将我们带离自己的舒适区。 但应当相信上帝的呼召将提供真正的安全，为我们带来全新的生活和目的。 相信上帝会将我们带到最终的应许之地。
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