Galatians 3:5-6, “Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith – just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness?”
I think of the obedience to God that Abraham is known for (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Romans 4:9-10, Romans 4:22, and Galatians 3:6), because he believed God’s promise. Paul used Abraham as an example to the Judaizers, and quoted the law, since they were the very ones that wanted to take the believers back into the law. Paul showed them that salvation is by faith in Christ and not by works of the law. Abraham was viewed as the Jewish Christians spiritual ancestor which Paul knew from his own Jewish upbringing and training. “It mattered a great deal to the apostle that God saves people by grace, not on the grounds of their human achievement, and he found Abraham an excellent example of that truth.” (Morris)
Then I think of Noah, who kept building the ark as God had commanded him to do. Noah was obedient and believed in God’s promise to protect him and his family. What if Noah would have stopped building that ark because he did not see a current reason for using it? He kept to the task because God had told him to do it, so he was faithful to God in his obedience. Both Abraham and Noah not only believed in God, they believed God and trusted God is all-sufficient, and heard with faith. God has been impressing upon me during these past few weeks, that I must do the same, because He is faithful.
Our responsibility in our role in our work, in our family, in a ministry we are involved in is to be obedient to God in living out Biblical values in faith. What He has told us to do we are to do it with zeal. It is not about what we can do, but what great things God can do. We need to lead people to Christ through how we serve others all for God’s glory. We must be faithful, reliable, trustworthy, doing more than just enough in our work so our co-workers, or acquaintances we come across see it is because we believe in faith and with faith, in our God that we serve. God has given each of us spiritual gifts to be used in our holy calling, to help others, faithfully showing grace, as God has bestowed grace upon us in various ways (1 Peter 4:10).
When we have challenging times, our prayer should be, “God, here is the dilemma I have right now. What do you want me to do?” God does not ask what our forecast or goals are. He does not ask what our method is. He does not even ask what our motives are. Instead, He simply says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Then wait, in faith and with faith, out of your obedience to God, for the answer to happen and God’s glory to be revealed. It may not be as you expected, but God is faithful. Tell God, “I believe what you say!”