"The Test of Faith"

God was testing Abraham, and the entire passage is meant to be understood in that context.

God was not testing Abraham so that He would know what Abraham would do. It was to strengthen Abrahams own faith and to give him an opportunity to show that faith through obedience.

True faith must be tested to be real.

Testing is always meant to show us our own strengths and weaknesses.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

There is a purpose in our testing in that whether we pass of fail the test there is an opportunity for growth.

Is our goal to become more like Christ?

If our goal as christians is to become more like Christ then as long as we are progressing towards that goal, we are accomplishing His purpose for us, regardless of how that looks. Many times it is a painful and difficult process.

What God asks Abraham to give up, is what Abraham values the most.

We must always evaluate and ask ourselves,”Do we value the gift more than the giver”. To God alone belongs supreme value in our lives.

Jesus constantly addressed the idols that people had set up in their lives. The things that they valued the most.

The rich young ruler: Luke 18:22-23

The woman at the well: John 4:1-26

The pharisees: Matthew 22:15-46