SAVING FAITH THAT'S PASSED ON

In a world where unfaithfulness is the norm, we look to our faithful God — unchanging, reliable, and true to His promises (Deuteronomy 7:9). Our faith can only be as strong as our knowledge of Him. Abraham’s life shows us how God’s promises not only shaped him but also blessed generations after him. His story challenges us: do we have the kind of saving faith that can be passed on? These are four marks of saving faith:

GOD-CENTERED

Faith always has an object. Saving faith anchors in God, not in feelings, circumstances, or self. We cannot grow in faith if we do not know who God is. Abraham’s life shows us this: he trusted God’s promises, and as a result, became the father of many nations (Galatians 3:6-8; Romans 4:3-5). In Christ, we too have become Abraham’s descendants by faith. Like him, we grow strong in faith as we study God’s Word and hold firmly to His promises.

OBEDIENCE

Saving faith always produces transformation. Abraham received God’s promises (Genesis 12:1-2) and proved his trust by obeying His commands. To live in Christ means that His presence will be seen in every part of our lives. Without obedience, faith is empty and counterfeit. Genuine faith cannot remain hidden. It is revealed in action and pass on through a life that follows Christ.

PROGRESSIVE

Authentic faith is never stagnant — it grows even through weakness and failure. Abraham was not perfect: out of fear, he compromised by presenting Sarah as his sister (Genesis 12). Yet God intervened and protected them, teaching Abraham to trust Him more deeply. Like Abraham, we may stumble, but true faith keeps moving forward. Growth means learning to rely on God instead of giving in to fear.

SURRENDERING

Surrendered faith places no conditions on God. It trusts even when the path is unclear. Sarah once laughed at God’s promise because it seemed impossible (Genesis 18:11-12), yet He proved faithful. Abraham’s greatest test came when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:9-14). He immediately obeyed and surrendered his son, fully trusting God to provide — and He did. That same faith was passed on to Isaac, who also trusted God’s promises. Trials will test us too, but they are meant to strengthen our trust and reveal our priorities. The question remains: are we willing to surrender our “Isaacs” to God, and will our faith be strong enough for us to pass it on?