Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

Abraham believed the Lord, and that is why God counted him as righteous. His righteousness did not come from his own works but from trusting God’s promise. Even when God told him to leave his home and go to an unknown land (Hebrews 11:8–9), Abraham obeyed without knowing the outcome. He trusted God’s word more than his own understanding. When God told Abraham to offer Isaac, his only son, as a sacrifice, Abraham obeyed. He took Isaac to the mountain with the wood for the offering, showing complete surrender to God’s will. He believed that even if Isaac died, God could raise him from the dead. This test proved that Abraham’s faith was real, and his obedience was the evidence.

The story of Abraham and Isaac is a picture of the Gospel.

• Isaac was Abraham’s only son of promise. Jesus is God’s only begotten Son.

• • Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice up the mountain. Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha.

• God provided a ram in place of Isaac. God provided Jesus, the Lamb of God, in our place.

This shows that God’s plan for salvation through His Son was revealed long before Jesus came.

James 2:21–24

From these passages, I understand that it is important to believe and have faith in Christ, but we must also do the good works in Christ Jesus which God has prepared in advance for us Ephesians 2:10. True faith produces good works because Christ lives in us. Abraham’s works completed his faith, and in the same way, our obedience shows the reality of our belief. When we know Christ, we turn away from evil and sinful practices. God gives us a new heart and new desires. We no longer live for ourselves but for the One who saved us. We love what is good and hate what is evil. This transformation is the work of God’s grace. Faith and understanding cannot come unless God chooses us and makes us righteous in His sight.

It is God’s grace and love that makes us guiltless through Christ. He saves us not only to forgive our sins but also to give us work to do in His Kingdom. One of the most important works is sharing the Gospel. This is not just an optional task—it is the core mission of every believer. We are told not to grow weary in doing good. We should help all people, but especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. This means helping with physical needs while also giving the most important gift—the Gospel. People may receive food, clothing, or help for a time, but without Jesus, they are lost forever. The Gospel must remain at the center of our service. Galatians 6:9–10

We must continue to believe in all the supernatural events God has done—especially that Jesus died for our sins and rose again on the third day. This truth is the foundation of our faith. Walking with God through Jesus Christ is the only way to fulfill His plan for our lives.

Just as Abraham trusted God without knowing the outcome, we too must live by faith. We should not let fear, uncertainty, or the pressure of the world stop us from obeying God. Faith without works is dead, but works without faith are empty. True faith is always active, moving us to love, serve, forgive, give, and speak the truth in love. Our lives should be living testimonies that Jesus Christ is Lord. Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness, and our faith in Christ is counted the same way. But just like Abraham, our faith should lead us to action. We forgive when others don’t, love when others hate, and speak truth when others remain silent—all because of Christ in us. Like Abraham, we will face tests. These are opportunities for our faith to grow. Trials can make us bitter or better; if we trust God, they will make us stronger. Abraham’s story points us to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and reminds us that God’s promises never fail. Let us believe in God’s Word, obey His commands, and do the work He has called us to. Let us share the Gospel boldly, help those in need with love, and keep Jesus at the center of our lives. Just as Abraham was called a friend of God, we too, through faith in Christ, are invited into a personal relationship with Him.