Get Out!
By Kamal Manik, Associate
India International Church
Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” James 2:22-23
There are few people in history who have stirred up hearts as Abraham. He is one of the most often referred to character in the New Testament, and his name has become synonymous with the virtue of faith. James takes this faith of Abraham and inexorably ties it to Abraham's works, and then asserts a very important principle - works are always a result of a genuine faith. Like the wind makes its presence known by its effects, faith makes its presence known by works. What were the works of Abraham? Were they simply isolated good works? What did Abraham do to illustrate his faith? I believe the answer is found in four areas of willingness in Abraham’s heart. Due to his unshakeable faith in his God, Abraham was willing to do four things. And, I submit that these four areas of willingness are to be found in every heart that has this faith. I want to highlight the first one today.
The first is the willingness to Get Out! We are introduced to Abraham (then known as Abram) with these words, “Now the LORD told Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1, NKJV) And we read immediately, “So Abram departed”. Think about this for a minute. This was his home. If you read the chronology from Noah to Abram, you realize that the life span was gradually decreasing, but when Abram was born, his great, great, great grandparents were still alive. Traveling and settling out of your own area was dangerous and not commercially conducive. We see that illustrated later as Abram has to conceal his wife’s identity for safety, and then in the quarrel over wells that were dug by Isaac. Yet we read very simply, God said get out, and Abram departed. Abram’s faith was a faith that was willing to get out of the comfort zone! Faith is always shown in the willingness to obey, willingness to leave what seems to be a secure in the light of obeying God to an unknown land.
Are you willing to get out? Are you willing to obey God to leave your comfort zone? For too long the Abrams of God have hung around traditions, programs, the way their kindred behave, the way their father’s worshipped. For too long have the people of God remained satisfied with a good church service, a weekly confession, a momentary change of heart. Will we dare to believe God for the impossible today, will we dare to take Him literally at His word, will we dare to take a stand for Him? Then we must be willing to get out of our comfort zones. Perhaps the Lord is urging you to get out of your comfort zone and be bold for the Lord when He opens the door to minister His grace to someone. Perhaps He is prompting you to give more sacrificially to the work of God than you ever have. Perhaps He is calling you to actually get out like Abram and go to another nation for His glory. I pray that we show that willingness like Abram to get out! May the Lord help us to get out!
Kamal Manik
_______________________________________________________
"A Soul’s Anchor” is a daily inspirational message prepared to challenge your mind, inspire your heart, and motivate you to anchor your soul in the person of Jesus Christ.
If you know a friend who would enjoy receiving "A Soul’s Anchor" in their email box each day, tell them they can sign up by emailing us at subscribe@asoulsanchor.org . The messages may also be read at our website, http://www.asoulsanchor.org. To unsubscribe, please email, unsubscribe@asoulsanchor.org with your email in the subject line. To change to a weekly instead of a daily subscription, email weekly@asoulsanchor.org with your email in the subject line. For receiving messages by mail, please write to us at A Soul’s Anchor, India International Church, 3654 Okemos Rd., Okemos, MI 48864
Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved. You may re-transmit by electronic mail, or make individual copy of this message provided the use is not for profit or commercial purpose, and the credit line appears in its entirety at the conclusion of the forward or reprint. A Soul’s Anchor is the ministry of the India International church. India International Church may withdraw or modify this grant of permission at any time. "A Soul’s Anchor" may NOT be reproduced in any form on the World Wide Web or in print media or other media without express written permission. Please submit requests via email to indiachurch@jesusforindians.org or write to: A Soul’s Anchor, India International Church, 3654 Okemos Rd., Okemos, MI 48864
India International Church
Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” James 2:22-23
There are few people in history who have stirred up hearts as Abraham. He is one of the most often referred to character in the New Testament, and his name has become synonymous with the virtue of faith. James takes this faith of Abraham and inexorably ties it to Abraham's works, and then asserts a very important principle - works are always a result of a genuine faith. Like the wind makes its presence known by its effects, faith makes its presence known by works. What were the works of Abraham? Were they simply isolated good works? What did Abraham do to illustrate his faith? I believe the answer is found in four areas of willingness in Abraham’s heart. Due to his unshakeable faith in his God, Abraham was willing to do four things. And, I submit that these four areas of willingness are to be found in every heart that has this faith. I want to highlight the first one today.
The first is the willingness to Get Out! We are introduced to Abraham (then known as Abram) with these words, “Now the LORD told Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1, NKJV) And we read immediately, “So Abram departed”. Think about this for a minute. This was his home. If you read the chronology from Noah to Abram, you realize that the life span was gradually decreasing, but when Abram was born, his great, great, great grandparents were still alive. Traveling and settling out of your own area was dangerous and not commercially conducive. We see that illustrated later as Abram has to conceal his wife’s identity for safety, and then in the quarrel over wells that were dug by Isaac. Yet we read very simply, God said get out, and Abram departed. Abram’s faith was a faith that was willing to get out of the comfort zone! Faith is always shown in the willingness to obey, willingness to leave what seems to be a secure in the light of obeying God to an unknown land.
Are you willing to get out? Are you willing to obey God to leave your comfort zone? For too long the Abrams of God have hung around traditions, programs, the way their kindred behave, the way their father’s worshipped. For too long have the people of God remained satisfied with a good church service, a weekly confession, a momentary change of heart. Will we dare to believe God for the impossible today, will we dare to take Him literally at His word, will we dare to take a stand for Him? Then we must be willing to get out of our comfort zones. Perhaps the Lord is urging you to get out of your comfort zone and be bold for the Lord when He opens the door to minister His grace to someone. Perhaps He is prompting you to give more sacrificially to the work of God than you ever have. Perhaps He is calling you to actually get out like Abram and go to another nation for His glory. I pray that we show that willingness like Abram to get out! May the Lord help us to get out!
Kamal Manik
_______________________________________________________
"A Soul’s Anchor” is a daily inspirational message prepared to challenge your mind, inspire your heart, and motivate you to anchor your soul in the person of Jesus Christ.
If you know a friend who would enjoy receiving "A Soul’s Anchor" in their email box each day, tell them they can sign up by emailing us at subscribe@asoulsanchor.org . The messages may also be read at our website, http://www.asoulsanchor.org. To unsubscribe, please email, unsubscribe@asoulsanchor.org with your email in the subject line. To change to a weekly instead of a daily subscription, email weekly@asoulsanchor.org with your email in the subject line. For receiving messages by mail, please write to us at A Soul’s Anchor, India International Church, 3654 Okemos Rd., Okemos, MI 48864
Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved. You may re-transmit by electronic mail, or make individual copy of this message provided the use is not for profit or commercial purpose, and the credit line appears in its entirety at the conclusion of the forward or reprint. A Soul’s Anchor is the ministry of the India International church. India International Church may withdraw or modify this grant of permission at any time. "A Soul’s Anchor" may NOT be reproduced in any form on the World Wide Web or in print media or other media without express written permission. Please submit requests via email to indiachurch@jesusforindians.org or write to: A Soul’s Anchor, India International Church, 3654 Okemos Rd., Okemos, MI 48864
posted by Danesh Manik | 12:58 PM
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