Recently during a Tuesday night Bible study, the topic of Abraham sacrificing Isaac came up. As we discussed this story (Gen 22) and James’s use of it to demonstrate faith in James 2:22-23, a couple of things became clear.

1. Abraham exercised faith.
2. (By extension) he did not know the outcome.

Faith is “the trustful human response to God’s self-revelation via His words and His actions” (Holman, 2003, 547). God tells Abraham, “’Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you’” (Gen 22:2). How many of us, if asked to do something so insanely radical, would choose to follow? We don’t have any more record of dialogue between Abraham and God. Maybe they needed to chat a while about this, I don’t know. Clearly the author did not think it important because the next verse (3) reads: “Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey….” Despite God asking him to give up his only son – the one he had waited and prayed for for so long – he begins carrying out God’s command.

I recently was presented with a challenge through a mentoring group I’m in: Are you willing to pay whatever cost God has for you to see renewal? Renewal is being connected to Jesus, and living in the fullness of the life He has promised us. Are you willing to pay the price to live fully connected to Christ – sold out for Him in every aspect of your life?

In Gen 22:3 Abraham tells his servants, “’Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’” As Abraham walked up that mountain with his son, he did not know what would happen. He tells his servants “We will come back.” Talk about faith! Abraham faces the cost of faith – trusting God with his son regardless of the outcome – confident God knew what He was doing and would not forget the promises He made to Abraham. For our hearts to genuinely be renewed, we must also be willing to trust God at all costs. Even when the cost seems too high, we are asked to have a faith of action – not just words. It is in the crucible of trial that the mettle of our faith is tested. Will your faith – when the cost gets high – remain firm? Are you willing to give God all and live life sold out for Jesus? It’s hard, but worth it. Are you willing?