 Three global religions consider Abraham as the father of their faith. Because of a call from God, he lived a life against his family, society, and culture. Let’s learn about it in Gen 11:27-12:9.
Gen 1-11 described human’s spiritual decay. But one ray of hope, a single family, still passed on the knowledge of God. It was the family of Seth (Gen 4:25), from whom came Noah and Terah, the father of Abraham. At that time, the culture was polytheism. 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 get out of his country, his people and his father’s household—out of his security, his comfort zone! 12:1. Abraham had no idea where to go. God just told him to 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 till death, he still didn’t see it. For his entire life, Abraham lived between God’s promises and the reality. He might be more comfortable just staying back in his father’s land. But he listened to God. Through thousands of years, all the promises gradually are coming true. Like Abraham, by faith we follow God. 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 to us gradually will come true. God promised that through Christ (who left His Father’s house, came on earth to suffer and die for us), we would be welcomed back to the Father’s house, with all the glory and blessing. God’s call probably would not fit into our agenda. God’s call probably would challenge major aspects of our lives. God’s call probably would take us out of our temporary comfort zone. But trusting God’s call provides real security, and gives us entirely new lives with radical new purposes. Trusting God would 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承诺 三个全球性的宗教认为亚伯拉罕是他们信仰之父。由于上帝的呼召，他过着与家庭，社会和文化相抗衡的生活。让我们在（创世纪11：27-12：9）中了解它。 创世纪1-11描述了人类的灵性衰退。如一缕丝的希望，一个家庭，仍然传递着对上帝的认识。这是塞特的家族（创世纪4:25）。 诺亚和特拉便是从这而来。 特拉是亚伯拉罕的父亲。那时，文化是多神教。甚至特拉都崇拜其他的神灵 （约书亚记 24：2）。幸好，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，这条光线在灵性和身体上都在灭绝中。 在这时, 上帝呼召了亚伯拉罕。这是一种恩典的召唤，因为亚伯拉罕不配得到这个呼召。他不够资格。这个呼召改变了亚伯拉罕的一生。 这也是一个激进的使命。上帝告诉亚伯拉罕离开他熟悉的本土，人民和他父亲的家庭 - 离开他的安全，他的舒适区！（创世纪12：1） 亚伯拉罕不知道该往哪里去。上帝只是告诉他要“到我要指示你的地方” （创世纪12：1）。请注意，当时没有谷歌地图。凭着信心，亚伯拉罕去了，也不知道应去哪里 （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，地球上所有的民族都将通过他而得到祝福。但直到死亡，亚伯拉罕仍然没有看到。 他一生都生活在上帝的应许与现实之间。如他居住父亲的土地上，他的生活可能会更容易更安逸。但他听从上帝的话。 经过几千年，所有的承诺逐渐成真。 像亚伯拉罕一样，凭着信心，我们跟随上帝。我们的生命在上帝的应许与现实之间。如过着我们以往的生活, 我们可能会更加舒适。但上帝对我们的承诺将会逐渐成真。 这承诺是基督带给我们的应许。 基督离开了天父的家，来到世上为我们受苦受难,使我们可以回到天父家里, 得到所有的荣耀和祝福。 上帝的呼召或许不融合我们的计划。上帝的呼召可能影响和挑战我们大部分的生活. 上帝的呼召或许会逐渐将我们从暂时的舒适区带出来. 但相信上帝提供真正的安全，给我们全新的生活, 并带来全新的目的。 相信上帝会将我们带到最终的承诺之地。 Comments are closed.
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