Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 36

"By _faith_ Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." Heb. 11:17.

7. Of what were the works of Abraham an evidence?

"Was not Abraham our father _justified_ by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" James 2:21.

8. By his works what was shown to be perfect?

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and _by works was faith made perfect_?" Verse 22.

9. In what statement of the scripture was Abraham's obedience really implied?

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, _Abraham believed G.o.d_, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of G.o.d." Verse 23.

10. What kind of faith avails with G.o.d?

"For in Jesus Christ neither circ.u.mcision availeth anything, nor uncirc.u.mcision; but _faith which worketh by love_." Gal. 5:6.

NOTE.-The faith which justifies is the faith which works. Those who say, and do not, are not men of faith. The obedience which is pleasing to G.o.d is the fruit of that faith which takes G.o.d at His word, and submits to the working of His power, being fully a.s.sured that what He has promised He is able also to perform. This is the faith which is reckoned for righteousness. See Rom. 4:21, 22.

11. For what purpose is the mystery of the gospel made manifest?

"But now [the mystery] is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting G.o.d, made known to all nations _for the obedience of faith_." Rom. 16:26.

12. For what purpose is the grace of Christ received?

"Through whom we received grace and apostles.h.i.+p, _unto obedience of faith_ among all the nations, for His name's sake." Rom. 1:5, R. V.

13. What example of obedience has Christ set for us?

"And being found in fas.h.i.+on as a man, He humbled Himself, and _became obedient unto death_, even the death of the cross." Phil. 2:8.

14. At what cost did even He learn the lesson of obedience?

"Though He were a Son, yet _learned He obedience by the things which He suffered_." Heb. 5:8.

15. To whom did Christ become the author of salvation?

"And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation _unto all them that obey Him_." Verse 9.

16. How complete should this obedience be?

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of G.o.d, and _bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ_." 2 Cor. 10:5.

17. What effect did the preaching of the apostles have upon the hearers?

"And the word of G.o.d increased; and _the number of the disciples multiplied_ in Jerusalem greatly; _and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith_." Acts 6:7.

18. What effect did the preaching of the apostle Paul have upon the Gentiles?

"For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, _to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed_." Rom.

15:18.

19. How highly does G.o.d regard obedience?

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, _to obey is better than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of rams_." 1 Sam. 15:22.

20. With what sins are rebellion and stubbornness cla.s.sed?

"For rebellion is as _the sin of witchcraft_, and stubbornness is as _iniquity_ and _idolatry_. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king." Verse 23.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Ruth And Naomi. "Thy people shall be my people, and thy G.o.d my G.o.d." Ruth 1:16.

21. Whose voice had more weight with Saul than had the commandment of G.o.d?

"And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because _I feared the people, and obeyed their voice_." Verse 24.

22. What charge did Jesus bring against the Pharisees?

"And He said unto them, Full well _ye reject the commandment of G.o.d, that ye may keep your own tradition_." Mark 7:9.

NOTE.-Human tradition is simply the voice of man preserved in the church. To follow the traditions of men instead of obeying the commandments of G.o.d is to repeat the sin of Saul.

23. What will be the fate of those who do not obey the gospel of Christ?

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire _taking vengeance on them that know not G.o.d, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ_." 2 Thess. 1:7, 8.

24. What condition is attained in obeying the truth?

"Seeing ye have _purified your souls in obeying the truth_ through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." 1 Peter 1:22.

25. What promise is made to the obedient?

"If ye be willing and obedient, _ye shall eat the good of the land_." Isa.

1:19.

26. Whose example are we urged to imitate?

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them _who through faith and patience inherit the promises_." Heb. 6:12.