Defined by God

Genesis 21:22–24 NIV

At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” Abraham said, “I swear it.”

Abraham is known not by his works but by his relationship with the Almighty. God with Abraham serves as the marker for power, hope and relationship between Abraham and Abimelek.

The world today makes us believe that there are only two possible responses to the sin and brokenness of the world. We must either hate those who walk in sin or affirm them and their sin. But God has drawn near to show that this is not true. Those who are saved in Christ are called to respond in neither way. We do not hate nor do we affirm. We cannot hate because of Gods word and we can not affirm because of God’s Word. We have to be prepared to say that we are unprepared to rewrite the Bible in order to accommodate a society that needs the Bible and the salvation of Christ offered in the Bible.

Handling Conflict

Genesis 21:25–34 NIV

Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.” So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?” He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.” So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there. After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

Abraham presents the conflict that he has and offers to make a treaty with Abimelek. Abraham puts aside his position of entitlement for the sake of relationship. He removes the obstacles to resolution.

As Christians, if we understand that we are defined by God and that He is for us, we then can willingly surrender all and pursue relationships with others even when the cost is great.

Matthew 5:38–42 NIV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.