Is Abraham Your Spiritual Father?

George Washington is known as the father of our country. He served as our first president. He commanded the army in the Revolutionary War. After winning the war, Washington resigned as commander-in-chief. He didn’t want to become a dictator. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787. After serving two terms as president, once again he stepped down. George Washington is definitely the father of our country.

In the Bible, Abraham is regarded as our spiritual father. Abraham pioneered the path of faith. Abraham demonstrates how to be right with God. Abraham is called our spiritual father by the apostle Paul. In Romans 4:11-12, Scripture says that Abraham was “the father of all those who believe.”

Genesis 15 verse 6 describes the faith of Abraham. Genesis 15:6 is one of the most important verses in the Bible! It reads, “Abraham believed God and God credited it to him for righteousness.” It is almost impossible to exaggerate the importance of this verse. This is the very first time faith is mentioned in the Bible. It is the first time righteousness is mentioned in the Bible. It is the first time justification by faith is mentioned in the Bible. This verse is so important it is quoted three times in the New Testament!

The first time Genesis 15:6 is quoted in the New Testament is the Book of James. James was probably the first book written in the New Testament. James was the half brother of our Lord Jesus. He also pastored the church in Jerusalem. James writes about true saving faith. How could James write and not mention the example of Abraham? James 2:23 reads, “And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God.” Abraham believed God. God credited righteousness to him. It doesn’t say that Abraham worked and earned his salvation. No! He believed God and God credited righteousness to his account.

The second time Genesis 15:6 is quoted is in the Book of Galatians. Galatians 3:6 reads, “Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” What did Abraham believe? Abraham believed a very simple, rudimentary, basic gospel message. The Bible tells us what Abraham believed. God promised Abraham a Seed. Galatians 3:16 says, “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ.”

God promised to build a nation through Abraham. Through this nation, the Messiah would come. Abraham is the physical father of the Jewish people. The Messiah, Jesus, came through Israel. Abraham understood and believed a very simple, basic gospel message. Abraham knew he was a sinner who needed a Savior. He understood that the Messiah would solve his sin problem. Today we know that Jesus suffered the wrath of God in our place. Jesus paid the price for our sins. Abraham is our spiritual father. The way God saved Abraham is the way God still saves you and me today.

The third time Genesis 15:6 is quoted is in the Book of Romans. Romans 4:3 asks, “What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” The word credited or imputed is very important! You and I cannot work our way to heaven. Earning our salvation is impossible.

If you ask the average American, “Will you go to heaven when you die? Will God accept you?” They will answer, “I am basically a good person. God sees my good deeds. I am earning salvation (righteousness).” No! The Bible says that righteousness comes through the perfect work of Jesus on the cross. We take hold of Christ’s righteousness through faith. When God sees your faith in the person and work of Jesus, God credits righteousness to your account.

“Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Credited is a financial term. It is an accounting word. It is a bookkeeping term. In Romans 4, God used the term eleven times. The apostle Paul used the term five times in verses 3 to 8.

George Washington is the father of our country. Abraham is the spiritual father of those who walk by faith. Understand that Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35). Only Jesus is the living water (John 4:10). Only Jesus can satisfy your spiritual hunger and thirst. Repent of your sins and put your full trust in Him, and God’s righteousness will be credited to your life today.

Pastor Ethan Hansen

Faith Bible Fellowship

Big Lake, AK