A Test of Authenticity

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’”
Genesis 22:1-2

Abram became Abraham because he had found favor with God, favor that had come with obedience – so why the test, why this most difficult test? From personal experience I know that some acts of obedience are harder than others, some don’t really require total surrender to the one asking. God, however, wants all of our lives and so we get tested – a test of authenticity and surrender.

There are plenty of examples in the Bible of people who were given a test of authenticity. Joseph was tested, Job was tested, Esther was tested, Elijah was tested, and Peter’s test came in the form of the same question being asked three times by a risen Jesus. Because all of these heroes of faith were tested, we shouldn’t be surprised when our authenticity as followers of Jesus is tested.

I want to share a story of a time when I feel like I failed such a test – the description may be a little graphic, but life is messy. A couple of decades ago, my husband, a friend and I were in San Francisco to see a play. As we walked from a restaurant to the theatre there was a homeless man sitting in a doorway, urinating where he sat – that’s a sad state for anyone but to make the indignity of the situation even worse, someone was standing there taking a picture of him. The scene is etched in my mind. I wish that I had, had the strength of character and courage of faith to have stopped the guy with the camera, to have told him that it wasn’t right to do that. Today, I would have had the courage to act on the injustice of the moment, but then I did not.

It is highly unlikely that any of us will be asked to sacrifice a child the way Abraham was, but the Lord will still test our authenticity, our willingness to surrender our lives for His calling. What will it be for you? Will it be to stop looking past or through someone with a disability? Will it be to stop and look that person with the “I’m hungry sign” right in the eye and give them a hand? Will you travel to a third world nation to serve those less fortunate? Will you set fear or selfishness aside to love someone the way Jesus loves you?

The test will come, probably when you least expect it; probably, when you are feeling pretty secure in your faith. Abraham didn’t question God; he just did what was asked of him – even when he probably didn’t understand. Abraham and all the others I mentioned prove to us two things – first, that the Spirit of God will grant us what we need to pass the test of authenticity and then that in doing so we will be blessed as good and faithful servants.

When test comes, follow Him, obey Him - then it will be a no worries kind of situation and your faith will be proved authentic.

A Prayer
Father, none of us like to be tested and while I am sure that Abraham, Joseph, Job, Esther, Elijah and Peter didn’t enjoy the tests they faced because of your power they passed and are examples for us today. So thank you for the tests that cause us to rely on You, even when we don’t know where You are taking us. May You find our faith and obedience authentic in everything you call us to do. In the name of Jesus who wants our whole lives, we pray - Amen