We note from our Bible that Abraham was a ‘Gentile,’ not a Jew. This is significant as we consider this message concerning the far reaching blessing that were promised ot come out of Abraham for “ALL the families of the earth.”

The Nation Israel came out of Abraham’s line but not till years later as it came through Abraham , Isaac, Jacob and then we have Jacobs twelve son for whom the “the twelve tribes of Israel” are named. Only after their 400 year bondage in Egypt, does Israel become the Nation of God (Exo. 19:5-6).

Referring to Abram, (later to be called Abraham) who believed God when he was called out of Ur of the Chaldees, to follow God to a land Abram knew not of. For God had made great Promises to this already rich man concerning His seed (lineage).

   “And I will bless them that bless thee [Abram], and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall aALL families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3 (KJV)

   “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  ¹⁹  For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:18-19 (KJV)

Having this  very brief background, we can see why Paul was later to write these words.

  “Therefore it [salvation] is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (Romans 4:16)

  “Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Rom. 4:3).

Has it ever occurred to you that in the whole world the most loved, the most honored, the most respected person of all history is — not Christ, but Abraham. We think Christ ought to be most loved, honored, and respected…  but Abraham is.

Note that besides the millions of professing Christians there are untold millions of Jews, and Mohammedans who speak with reverence of “our father Abraham.”

Clearly and actually this is why God used this man to show exactly … how one to be saved and justified before a holy God.

As Paul is God’s great Biblical example of grace… so Abraham is God’s great Biblical example of “faith” — saving faith.

Abraham was justified. How? “What saith the Scripture?

“Abraham Believed God and it [Abraham’s faith] was Counted To Him For Righteousness” (Ver. 3).

God, of course, had planned salvation through the redemptive work of Christ at the Cross and, He has always saved anyone who simply trusts Him and takes Him at His Word [that is, by faith].

Since Abraham, of course, more of God’s Word has been revealed to us and we know the details of Christ’s death for all sinners.

If we now take God at His revealed Word and simply trust Christ as Savior we are completely Justified, for Salvation is Not and Cannot be by works of self-effort:

“But to him that worketh not but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his Faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5).

“…through this Man [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him All That Believe Are Justified From ALL Things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).