The God of Abraham Is My God
For what says the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:3 Abraham is presented not merely as an ancient patriarch but as the pattern of every believer: God takes the initiative, reveals Himself, calls a person out of an old life, and brings them into a life of faith, obedience, and promise. For righteousness is God’s gift, received by faith rather than earned by human effort. God initiates salvation Abraham’s spiritual life began when “the God of glory appeared” to him while he was still in Mesopotamia, before Abraham had done anything to merit God’s attention. This teaches that salvation begins with God’s gracious call, not with human achievement. For this is the decisive difference between biblical Christianity and human religion: religion is often “man reaching up to God,” while the gospel is God revealing Himself and acting for humanity. He frames the gospel as God having done everything necessary for salvation in Christ...