Skip to main content

“For Now I Know” — God’s Response to Faith With Works

English
🇵🇭 Tagalog

Sermon: “For Now I Know” — God’s Response To Faith With Works

Text: Genesis 22:12

God’s Words Are For Us, Not For Him

Brethren, when we read, “for now I know that thou fearest God,” we must remember that God did not write the Scriptures for Himself—He wrote them for us (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16). The Lord has always been all-knowing (Psalm 139:1–4; Isaiah 46:10). He knew Abraham’s heart before Abraham even moved. But God chose to phrase it this way—“for now I know”—to communicate something to us. It is not that God gained new knowledge, but that He demonstrated in a way we can understand that true faith is proven by obedience.

 

Faith Is Only Real When It Acts

Notice, brethren, Abraham was already a man of faith before Genesis 22. Hebrews 11:8 says he obeyed when he was called to go out. But here, his faith reached its highest test—offering Isaac, his only son. Faith alone in the mind would not have satisfied God. James 2:21–24 confirms this: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? … Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” The Spirit ties James 2 directly to Genesis 22. That means God is showing us: faith is not perfected until it obeys.

 

“Now I Know” Is God’s Testimony of Approval

When God said, “now I know,” He was not confessing ignorance. He was pronouncing approval. It was as if God stamped Abraham’s obedience with a seal that said: “This is true faith.” The statement is for our assurance—that God notices obedience and that He responds when we act on His Word. If Abraham had refused, there would be no such declaration. Brethren, do we see it? God responds to obedience, not to empty belief.

 

The Deathblow to Faith-Only Doctrine

Those who preach “faith only” stumble at this passage. Abraham did not simply say, “I believe, Lord.” He rose up early, saddled his ass, took Isaac, and stretched forth his hand with the knife (Genesis 22:3,10). God said “now I know” only after Abraham’s action, not before. That means faith without obedience is dead (James 2:26). The Bible does not teach “faith only”—it teaches a working faith that moves the believer to obey. Just as Noah “moved with fear, prepared an ark” (Hebrews 11:7), and Israel “by faith… passed through the Red sea” (Hebrews 11:29), so Abraham “by faith… offered up Isaac” (Hebrews 11:17). Always, faith acts.

 

God’s Assured Response to Our Obedience

Brethren, here is the comfort: when we obey God, He responds. “Now I know” is written for us to understand that God recognizes and rewards those who act upon His Word. Hebrews 11:6 says He is “a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” On the other hand, when men hear but do not act, the Lord says, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). Do we see the parallel? Obedience leads God to say, “now I know you.” Disobedience leads Him to say, “I never knew you.”

 

Those Whom God Truly Knows, He Adds to His Church

Brethren, notice the contrast. To the disobedient, Jesus will say, “I never knew you.” But to the obedient, the Word says, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). Who were they? They were the ones who gladly received the word, repented, and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38,41). God “knew” them in the sense of approving and accepting their faith expressed in obedience. That is why they were added—not by men, not by vote, not by joining, but by the Lord Himself. And why? Because He now knew them as His own.

 

A Call to Obedient Faith

Friends and brethren, the question is: what would God say about you today? Has your faith moved you to obey the gospel—believing, repenting, confessing Christ, and being baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)? Or have you been content with “faith only”? Remember, Abraham’s faith was accepted only when it acted. God is waiting to say, “Now I know you fear Me”—but He will only say it if you obey.

Readers may share, print, teach, or repost these articles if unaltered, intent preserved, not sold or used commercially, and with a clear link back to this blog.

#ChurchOfChrist #ObedientFaith #Genesis22 #FaithAndWorks #KJVOnly #Acts247 #BibleTruth #RefutingFaithOnly

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Support This Work
🔙 Back to Table of Contents

Sermon: “Talastas Ko Ngayon” — Tugon ng Diyos sa Pananampalatayang May Gawa

Teksto: Genesis 22:12

Ang Salita ng Diyos ay Para sa Atin, Hindi Para sa Kaniya

Mga kapatid, nang sinabi ng Diyos, “sapagka't talastas ko ngayon, na ikaw ay natatakot sa Dios,” dapat nating tandaan na ang Kasulatan ay hindi isinulat para sa Diyos kundi para sa atin (Roma 15:4; 2 Timoteo 3:16). Ang Panginoon ay palaging lubos na nakakaalam (Awit 139:1–4; Isaias 46:10). Alam na Niya ang puso ni Abraham bago pa ito kumilos. Subalit ginamit ng Diyos ang ganitong pananalita—“talastas ko ngayon”—upang magturo sa atin ng isang aral na mauunawaan natin: ang tunay na pananampalataya ay pinatutunayan lamang sa pamamagitan ng pagtalima.

 

Tunay ang Pananampalataya Kapag Ito’y May Pagtalima

Pansinin ninyo, mga kapatid, si Abraham ay taong may pananampalataya na bago pa ang Genesis 22. Sinasabi ng Hebreo 11:8 na siya ay sumunod nang siya’y tawagin. Ngunit dito, dumating ang sukdulang pagsubok—na ialay si Isaac, ang kaniyang kaisa-isang anak. Hindi sapat sa Diyos ang pananampalatayang nananatili lamang sa isipan. Kinukumpirma ito ng Santiago 2:21–24: “Hindi baga ang ating amang si Abraham ay inaring ganap sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa, dahil sa kaniyang inihain si Isaac na kaniyang anak sa ibabaw ng dambana? Nakikita mo na ang pananampalataya ay gumagawang kalakip ng kaniyang mga gawa, at sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa ay naging sakdal ang pananampalataya;” Ang Espiritu Santo mismo ang nagdugtong ng Santiago 2 sa Genesis 22. Kaya ipinapakita ng Diyos na ang pananampalataya ay hindi nagiging ganap hanggang ito ay isinasagawa.

 

“Talastas Ko Ngayon” ay Patotoo ng Diyos sa Pananampalatayang May Gawa

Nang sabihin ng Diyos, “talastas ko ngayon,” hindi Siya nagpapahayag ng kamangmangan. Siya’y nagpapahayag ng Kaniyang pagtanggap. Ito’y pagkumpirma o pagkilala ng Diyos sa pagtalima ni Abraham na animoy sinabing: “Ito ang tunay na pananampalataya.” Ang pahayag na ito ay para sa ating katiyakan—na napapansin ng Diyos ang ating pagsunod at Siya’y tumutugon kapag kumikilos tayo ayon sa Kaniyang salita. Kung tumanggi si Abraham, walang ganitong pahayag. Mga kapatid, nakikita ba natin ito? Kinikilala ng Diyos ang pagsunod, hindi ang hungkag na pananampalataya lamang.

 

Ang Matinding Dagok sa Doktrina ng “Pananampalataya Lamang”

Yaong nagtuturo ng “faith only” ay natitisod sa bahaging ito. Hindi lamang sinabi ni Abraham, “Sumasampalataya ako, Panginoon.” Siya’y bumangong maaga, sinakyan ang kaniyang asno, dinala si Isaac, at itinaas ang kaniyang kamay na may kutsilyo (Genesis 22:3,10). Sinabi lamang ng Diyos na “talastas ko ngayon” matapos kumilos si Abraham, hindi bago mangyari ito, kundi pagkatapos tumalima. Ibig sabihin, ang pananampalataya na walang pagtalima ay patay (Santiago 2:26). Hindi itinuturo ng Biblia ang “faith only”—kundi ang pananampalatayang gumagawa, na nagtutulak sa tao na sumunod. Kung paanong si Noe “dala ng banal na takot, ay naghanda ng isang daong” (Hebreo 11:7), at ang Israel “Sa pananampalataya'y nagsipagdaan sila sa gitna ng Dagat na Mapula” (Hebreo 11:29), gayon din si Abraham “Sa pananampalataya, nang subukin si Abraham, ay inihandog si Isaac:” (Hebreo 11:17). Lagi, ang pananampalataya ay may gawa o pagtalima.

 

Tiyak na Tugon ng Diyos sa Ating Pagtalima

Mga kapatid, ito ang kaaliwan para sa atin: kapag tayo’y sumusunod sa Diyos, Siya ay tumutugon sa bawat pagtalima. “Talastas ko ngayon,” ay isinulat para maunawaan natin na kinikilala at ginagantimpalaan ng Diyos ang mga masunurin sa Kaniyang salita. Sabi ng Hebreo 11:6, Siya ay “ang tagapagbigay ganti sa mga sa kaniya'y nagsisihanap.” Subalit sa mga nakikinig ngunit hindi kumikilos, sinabi ng Panginoon, “Kailan ma'y hindi ko kayo nangakilala:” (Mateo 7:23). Nakikita ba natin ang pagkakaiba? Ang masunurin ay sinasabihan ng Diyos, “Talastas ko ngayon.” Ang di-masunurin ay maririnig: “Kailan ma'y hindi ko kayo nangakilala.”

 

Yaong Kaniyang Tunay na Nakilala, Idinagdag Niya sa Kaniyang Iglesia

Mga kapatid, pansinin ninyo ang kaibahan. Sa mga masuwayin, sasabihin ni Jesus, “Kailan ma’y hindi ko kayo nangakilala.” Subalit sa mga masunurin, sinabi ng Kasulatan, “At idinaragdag sa kanila ng Panginoon araw-araw yaong nangaliligtas” (Gawa 2:47). Sino sila? Yaong mga masayang tumanggap ng salita, nagsisi, at nagpabautismo sa pangalan ng Panginoong Jesucristo sa ikapagpapatawad ng mga kasalanan (Gawa 2:38,41). “Nangakilala” sila ng Diyos sa diwa ng pagtanggap at pag-apruba sa kanilang pananampalatayang ipinakita sa pagtalima. Kaya’t idinagdag sila—hindi ng tao, hindi sa pamamagitan ng boto, hindi sa pamamagitan ng pag-anib, kundi ng Panginoon mismo. At bakit? Sapagkat ngayo’y kinilala Niya sila bilang Kaniyang sariling bayan.

 

Panawagan sa Masunuring Pananampalataya

Mga kaibigan at kapatid, ang tanong ay ito: ano ang masasabi ng Diyos tungkol sa iyo ngayon? Ang iyong pananampalataya ba ay nag-uudyok sa iyo na sumunod sa ebanghelyo—sumampalataya, magsisi, ipahayag si Cristo, at magpabautismo upang mapatawad ang iyong mga kasalanan (Marcos 16:16; Gawa 2:38)? O kuntento ka na ba sa “faith only”? Tandaan, tinanggap lamang ang pananampalataya ni Abraham nang ito ay sumunod. Naghihintay ang Diyos upang sabihin, “sapagka't talastas ko ngayon, na ikaw ay natatakot sa Dios,”—ngunit sasabihin lamang Niya ito kung ikaw ay tumalima sa Kanya.

Maaaring ibahagi, i-print, ipangaral, o i-repost ang mga artikulo dito kung hindi ito babaguhin, panananatilihin ang tema ng layunin, hindi ipagbibili o gagamitin para kumita, at may malinaw na link pabalik sa blog na ito.

#ChurchOfChrist #ObedientFaith #Genesis22 #FaithAndWorks #KJVOnly #Acts247 #BibleTruth #RefutingFaithOnly

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Support This Work
🔙 Back to Table of Contents
Topics:

Popular posts from this blog

The Origin and Error of “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS): A Biblical Exposé

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog The Origin and Error of “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS) A Biblical Exposé An Authoritative Study Using the King James Bible Introduction: A Question of Eternal Security The doctrine of Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS) asserts that once a person is saved, they can never lose their salvation, regardless of future behavior, apostasy, or rebellion. It is often linked with the phrase “eternal security” in Protestant theology. This study examines the origin, evaluates the biblical claims, and provides a full refutation using only the Scripture as the final and only authority. I. Historical Roots of OSAS (A Brief Context) Though many today assume OSAS to be an apostolic doctrine, its systematized form arose from John Calvin's doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints (TULIP), later popularized by Baptist theologians like Charles Stanley and modern evangelical churches. However, early church fathers such as Tertullian, Orige...
Read more

The Promise and Importance of Christ’s Church

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog     Next ⟶ The Promise and Importance of Christ’s Church "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16:18 (KJV) Introduction The Church of Christ is not a product of human invention or denominational evolution. It is the fulfillment of a divine promise — a structure built not by human hands, but by the Lord Himself. In a time when religious confusion is widespread and thousands of conflicting churches exist, we must return to the simple, authoritative statement of Jesus: “I will build my church.” (Matt. 16:18) These words mark the beginning of a divine blueprint. This was not a vague intention, nor a mystical concept. Jesus was referring to a real, identifiable, and traceable body of people — the church — that He Himself would build, own, and preserve. “I Will Build My Church” — A Divine Dec...
Read more

Grace, Faith, and Works

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog Grace, Faith, And Works A Biblical Exegesis Of Ephesians 2:8–10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8–10 I. Introduction: Why This Study Matters Now More Than Ever In a religious world increasingly divided by theological confusion and denominational doctrines, few passages are more quoted yet more misunderstood than Ephesians 2:8–10 : “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” While this passage declares foundational truths about salvation, it has been misappropria...
Read more

Restoration Movement: The Illusion of Rebuilding What God Preserved

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog There Is Nothing to Restore — Just Preach the Gospel A Doctrinal Exposition Affirming the Ongoing Existence and Perfection of God’s Church Introduction In recent centuries, many sincere believers have spoken of a "restoration movement"—the idea that the true church was lost to history and must now be recovered or re-established. But is this concept biblical? Does Scripture ever indicate that the church built by Christ (Matthew 16:18) would vanish, become corrupted, and need a future restoration? The answer, as revealed in the inspired Word of God, is  no . What God  planned before the foundation of the world  (Ephesians 3:9–11), what Christ  purchased with His own blood  (Acts 20:28), and what was  established in power on Pentecost  (Acts 2),  continues to exist today . While men may depart from the truth, the truth remains. And what we are called to do is not to restore, but to  pre...
Read more

The Church Built By Jesus Christ In The New testament - Lesson 1

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog ⟵ Previous Next ⟶ Lesson 1: The Church Planned by God Before the Creation of the Universe Key Passage: Ephesians 3:9–11 “ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: ” Introduction The concept of the church is often misunderstood—even among believers. To many, it appears to be an afterthought, a temporary institution until Christ returns, or merely a human denomination among many. But the Scriptures teach otherwise. The church was not an accident. It was not a substitute for a failed plan. It was not an invention of man. It was part of God's eternal purpose , rooted i...
Read more

“Jesus Called Us Brethren”

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog "Go and Tell My brethren" Text: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’” - Matthew 28:10 I. Introduction: The Significance of the Word "Brethren" After His glorious resurrection, Jesus could have referred to His disciples with any term—“servants,” “students,” or “followers.” But He chose the word “brethren.” This word carries weight. It reflects forgiveness, restored fellowship, and most importantly, a shared relationship with the Father. Why does Jesus now call His disciples brethren? What does that mean for us today? And how did we become worthy of such a name? II. Context and Background Let’s recall that before the crucifixion, His disciples deserted Him in fear (Matthew 26:56). Peter even denied Him three times. They failed Him at His darkest hour. Yet, after rising from the grave, Jesus doesn’t rebuke them—He calls them “My b...
Read more

The Deathblow to OSAS

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog Romans 6:1-2 — The Deathblow to OSAS with One Simple Question "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? - Romans 6:1-2 Can You Keep Sinning and Still Be Saved? Paul Says: Absolutely Not! Some claim, “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS)—but what if one simple question from Paul demolishes that doctrine entirely? In  Romans 6:1-2 , the apostle confronts the dangerous logic that grace gives license to sin. His answer is sharp, unshakable, and Spirit-inspired. This short but powerful passage doesn’t just challenge OSAS—it delivers the deathblow. Ready to face the truth? Q: Who is speaking in Romans 6:1? A:  The apostle  Paul —a faithful Christian, divinely inspired. Q: Who does the word "we" refer to? A:  To  Paul and other Christians . Those already  saved ,  baptized , and  wal...
Read more