The Motive of Faith

The seminal story of faith in the Bible is that of Abraham.  It was the lens through which the early church came to understand Jesus.  Paul put it this way:  “For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’  To one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.”  (Rom. 4:3, 5)  It’s pretty important stuff.

The Old Testament lesson this week is the very beginning of Abraham’s story, from a time when he was still known as Abram and not yet as Abraham. 

Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.  I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (Gen. 12:1-2)

There are three points to note.

First, God told Abram to go.  He was to leave home, all that was familiar, and journey to a place as yet unknown to him.  Abram believed God, although there was no evidence to say he should, and risked everything.  God said go.  Abram went.  Faith requires action.

Second, Abram took the risk of acting out of self-interest.  God promised that if Abram did as instructed, he would become a great nation.  That’s what was in it for Abram.  Abram’s motives and intentions were not selfless at all.

Third, God did not need Abram’s motives or intentions.  I don’t think God much cares about intentions.  God does care about behavior.  What matters is that we act and not much why we act.  God cared that Abram acted on God’s call.  That was enough.  God took that, whatever the motives that might have been behind it, and made Abram’s action a blessing. 

The movement is always outward.  Go.  And the movement is always for blessing.  Perhaps motives or intentions are just irrelevant.

Peace,