What mentors have modeled faith for you? Did teachers, pastors, colleagues, family members, or friends provide you with examples of how to trust God and live out that belief? In Galatians 3:6–9, Paul reminds his readers of one of the greatest examples of faith: Abraham. The Jewish people in Paul’s time honored Abraham as an exemplary follower of God. Throughout Scripture, Abraham’s obedient acts are extolled.

In Genesis 26, the Lord appeared to Abraham’s son Isaac during a time of famine and fear and assured him: “To you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions” (Gen. 26:3–5). The New Testament also expresses admiration for Abraham’s righteous behavior: “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?” (James 2:21). Hebrews 11 includes Abraham in its “Hall of Faith” (Heb. 11:8–12). In Galatians, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, emphasizing that Abraham’s righteousness came not through his good works, but from his belief: “So also Abraham ‘believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness’” (Gal. 3:6).

Works are not inherently bad, but they alone are insufficient. Works cannot completely transform the human heart and deepen one’s relationship with the almighty God. That transformation and intimacy begin with faith and are available to all who believe—all nations, Gentiles and Jews.

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