Chapter 1 A Consecrated Life - Far Eastern Bible College

life. It was not a static faith or a dead faith, but a faith that produced
obedience and service to God in Abraham’s life.
II. Abraham’s Obedience
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went
out, not knowing whither he went.” The key word in this verse is the
word “obeyed.” Abraham was brought up in the ancient city of Ur. As
he lived there, God spoke to him, commanding him to leave the place.
And Abraham left without knowing where he and his household would
eventually settle down. This was not an easy thing for him to do.
Abraham actually enjoyed all the comforts and conveniences of city
life in Ur. Discoveries have shown that the ancient city of Ur was
technically very advanced and well-organised even in Abraham’s time.
Abraham probably had a good house to live in, a good supply of food
and water, and also opportunities to engage in the lucrative business of
trade and commerce. The Scriptures tell us that he was quite a well-todo
person. He had many servants in his household and he was taking
care of his aged father.
And yet he was willing to leave all the comforts and conveniences
of city life behind and launch out to nowhere. It is like a person who has
been living all his life in a modern city suddenly deciding to move
house to an isolated shack in a rural, backward village.
We can imagine what his friends and relatives might have said to
him, “Abram, don’t be a fool. There is no better place for you than this
place. If you leave this city, you will not have a house, or water and
food so easily obtainable. Your future will be uncertain and probably
quite bleak. Don’t do such a crazy thing. If you are not thinking about
yourself, at least consider how much inconvenience you will cause to
your wife Sarai, to your aged father and to the others who are with
you.”
Yes, humanly speaking, what Abraham was about to do was quite a
foolish thing. And I believe he was heavily criticised for this. But
despite all of that, as he struggled with the decision, he could not ignore
A Living Sacrifice
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