Faith in Action
Genesis 17:23–27 (NASB95)
23Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him. 24Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
Abraham’s story shows that real faith always leads to action. When God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male in his household, Abraham responded immediately. He did not hesitate or delay. The text repeats the phrase “on that very day” to highlight the urgency and completeness of his obedience. Abraham included his son Ishmael, every servant born in his house, and every slave he had purchased. No one was left out. His faith was not just a private conviction. It shaped his choices and set the direction for his entire household.
Abraham’s willingness to obey, even when it was costly and uncomfortable, reveals the depth of his trust in God’s promises. He believed that God would fulfill His word, even when the circumstances seemed impossible. This pattern of faith in action appears throughout Abraham’s life. He left his homeland when God called. He built altars in new places. He separated from Lot to keep peace. The ultimate test came when God asked him to offer Isaac. Abraham did not hold back his only son. His faith was proven by what he did, not just by what he believed.
The lesson is clear. Faith that does not act is not faith at all. Our trust in God should be visible in our decisions, our priorities, and our willingness to obey, even when it costs us something. Abraham’s example calls us to examine our own lives. Do we respond to God’s leading with immediate obedience? Does our faith shape our actions in ways that others can see? The modern church needs believers whose faith is active and observable. When we act on God’s word, we show the world that His promises are real and His commands are worth following. Let us be people whose faith moves us as Abraham’s did.