Why did God test Abraham if He knew beforehand that Abraham would obey and sacrifice his son Isaac?
God wanted to make it clear to mankind that anyone is capable of loving and believing in Him, even when their senses are being pushed far beyond the normal limit. Abraham was not born of the Spirit, was not baptized in the Holy Spirit, did not receive an anointing from the Spirit like many other prophets and kings of Israel received; all in all, Abraham was a simple, ordinary man just like you and me. However, he was able to overcome the emotions of his heart and obey. If Abraham was able to do that, then we are able to pay the price and deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow His Son Jesus.
Many unbelievers might argue that Jesus’ sacrifice was doable because He was God, and as a consequence, able to easily overcome the desires of the flesh.
But Abraham’s act of faith can be used as an argument against those who always have an excuse for denying their faith in Jesus and giving in to the desires of the flesh. The fact is, the Lord has never and will never ask for something beyond His servant’s ability to give. When the master gave his servant a talent, obviously his hope was that his servant would multiply it. Instead, he hid it and said, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground…” Matthew 25.24
Every one of God’s servants has a talent. And yet some servants are bad, lazy and cowardly. Though they are very talented, they hide their talents. These will be cast into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25.30
Cristiane Cardoso
THE LORD GOD knows us better then anyone else - for he made us, HE knows every ability and talent we posses, thus it is our responsibility to find our true calling (talent - not refering to pastorhood). All of us have abilities - some more soem less - the lesser abilities you have the lesses the challenges you have but - the more the abilities/talents you have the higher the challenges you have. GOD is "thinking GOD" he will never ask for something he knows very well you cannt achieve.
So true Bishop, it is so clear indeed that we too can overcome all trials and stay strong if we maintain our Faith.
I never noticed before that the man was AFRAID to multiply!!! This is indeed the key, the FEAR (Emotion) stopped him from multiplying. How many indeed are kept from doing anything because of this FEAR of failing and being punished by the 'hard man' (critics).Emotions have kept many people from recognising God's given talents and thats why they reap nothing, only complaints and complaints and blaming the church. The man knew a lot about God (bible),what kind of a man He is, but NO FAITH!!
Dear Bishop
As children of God we should not be ashame of our God and listen to His Spirit like Abraham did not to our flesh.Shadrek,Mishak and Abednigo prefaired to be put in fire than serving other gods.We should do the same
and overcome the devil.
God bless
A true father of faith...an example that every christian has to follow.
Thank you Bishop
I agree with you Bishop, all servants has a talent.!!!
Is a privilege to serve the Lord Jesus, thanks God
Thank you Bishop we needed this reminder to keep our Faith active and alive.
God bless
whenever GOD called Abraham,he said here i am.when GOD called our LORD JESUS to come and sacrifice HIS life on earth,he obeyed without any questions.i pray to have a similar heart and to be totaly submissive.
i deeply admire Abraham. the most special part is, he did no miracles, received no anointing of oil, he didnt have the Holy Spirit, etc. but because of his obedience God saw something in him that he didnt see in others: a strong sacrificial faith. its a shame we dont see many who are like this especially when the campaign of israel comes!!!!
We all have a talent which God can use.
When we hid this talent it impedes the work of God,so we should always use the talent which God gave us to glorify his Name.
In Faith
All of the servant of God has a talent. And as a servant of God we must not hide it at all. Because if we will hide it nothing will happen but if we will show it, it can add in the growth of the Kingdom of God.
Bishop, the fact that God has not & will never ask something beyond His servants'ability touch me.
In my work I'm always compete (sometimes severly) with wel qualified men in the field. When things get tough I cal Heaven by quoting that I'm just a woman need to be exempted from some treatments. I believe that Heavenly Hosts wanted to shout @ me and say: If Abraham was a man, what about Sarah, Debora, Esther and many other women, where they exempted?
Yes bp Abraham was a man just like us, the diference is that today we dont want to sacrifice, we want God in our own terms. Abraham didnt have the bible like we have today, he was just faithfull to his wife and God saw that as good enough for him to call him.Today our LORD JESUS give us the HOLY SPIRIT that can confirm everything for us but still were failing. Sacrifice is the way, whether we like it or not.
Thanks Bishop I like this message how can the world see our GOD IS THE LIVING GOD if we don't throw our-self in the fire if we don't give our all to HIM
THANKS BISHOP AND BE BLESSED
What really stood out for me in this msg, is the part where it says: "The fact is, the Lord has never and will never ask for something beyond His servant's ability to give". And that is soo true, God will never impose something on us that we cannot do or give. Even I need to continously remind myself of this, because our first instance is to give up or to go around it and give what we want, rather than what is required!!
Here we are being shown that we have no excuse. Abraham was a real example & that's why he's our father in faith. We can do it, we just allow our flesh to overcome us which is what we shouldn't do.