Abraham demonstrated faith to believe GOD in the things GOD revealed to him.
Abraham demonstrated obedience and did what GOD told him to do.
Abraham demonstrated agape (GODLY love) to GOD in faith and obedience when GOD told him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham loved GOD more than his own son. This is more than can be said about Adam, who loved his wife more than his GOD. The kind of agape, faith and obedience that Abraham had is confirmed by Hebrews 11:12 “and he (Isaac) was good as dead” , this means Abraham was intent and determined to kill Isaac and would have done so if the angel had not stopped him. Abraham did not withhold his only son, then many years later GOD did not withhold HIS only son.
Genesis 22:12 “Now I know that you fear GOD because you have not withheld from ME your son, your only son.”
It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before GOD, but the doers who will be justified. Romans 2:13 John 8:39 Just like us Abraham was a foreigner in the land of promise, we are ambassadors, strangers and pilgrims, so was Abraham. Abraham was in a wilderness and today so is the church. Genesis 28:4 1 Peter 2:11 2 Corinthians 5:20 Abraham and the saints are heirs of the world. Romans 4:13 Galatians 3:29
Today we see many that claim they are Christians but their claim is empty because even though they hear they don’t do. I find it more offensive that these fake Christians have taken the name of Christian but refuse in ignorance to acknowledge the name Christian for Abraham.
Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith and so are we Christians. John 8:56 Abraham saw Jesus afar off , this makes Jesus before (before here means first in order of importance) Abraham was, so to speak. John 8:58 Hebrews 11:13 Not only Abraham but all these people in Hebrews 11 “saw” Christ afar off. We see Christ today afar off but looking backwards whereas they looked forward. The people in Hebrews 11 are part of the foundation of the church which is the prophets and Apostles.
Ephesians 2:20 “Now therefore you are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of GOD, having been built on the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.”
This tells us plainly that Abraham and the others in Hebrews 11 were Christians. The new covenant did not begin on Pentecost when unto Abraham was the gospel preached. Abraham is the father of all true Christians.
“Therefore, it is of faith that it might be according to grace so that the promise might be sure to all the seed not only those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, WHO IS THE FATHER OF US ALL.” Romans 4:16
Anyone that says Abraham wasn’t a Christian is an ignorant liar.
King David will be in the first resurrection along with all those mentioned in Hebrews 11. The first resurrection is only for those in Christ, the church. Jesus came to his own people and preached the gospel to them but the vast majority rejected Jesus and only 120 were in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, what does that tell you ? After Jesus ascended to his GOD and FATHER the gospel was to go to the Gentiles but the vision GOD gave to Peter concerning the gentiles was not acted on by Peter so GOD called the Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Ever notice that the bulk of the New Testament writings are by Paul. This is because it was the time of the Gentiles. The Israelites were blinded and their branches were broken off of the olive tree that symbolized the church and the Gentiles were grafted in. Romans 11:1-32
These gentiles became part of spiritual Israel, the church, the Israel of GOD. ALL the people in Hebrews 11 did not receive the promise because GOD intends to glorify us along with them at the same time, the return of Christ and the first resurrection. The church of spiritual Israel is called the elect of GOD, the called and chosen saints. When you read about the elect in scripture you are reading about the church. This applies to Revelation 7 & 14. Carnal Israel was the elect under the law law, the old covenant, the Ten Commandments. The church elect existed before carnal Israel therefore the true church of GOD is older than the law, grace is older than the law.
Righteous Able was called righteous because he had the righteousness of GOD imputed to him just like true Christians do today and Christians before Christ.
GOD is the teacher of all the saints both ancient and modern. No human being can teach GODS truth to another human being, GOD through Jesus is the only teacher and no man. The saints are taught in the same way as all the prophets, by divine revelation. When you honestly examine the churches of this world do you see this divine revelation ? It is impossible for GOD to lie but men can and do, so who do you want to be your teacher ? I write about many spiritual subjects on this blog but I can’t give you the understanding of any of it. GOD must do that. Paul planted, Apollos watered, BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE. The best I can do is share with my readers the things GOD has taught me. Then if GOD wants you to hear HE will give you spiritual ears. Therefore;
Revelation 2:29 “He that has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.”