Doctrinal Outlines

 

Characteristics of a Strong Believer

 

Genesis 18

1.      A strong believer always desires the truth of God’s Word, and receives it faithfully and consistently.  Gen 18:1

2.      A strong believer is friendly, gracious, and hospitable.  Abraham was a great soldier, a great leader, a great administrator, and he was a relaxed and gracious man as depicted in Gen 18:2-8.

3.      A strong believer is adjusted to the plan and design of God for his life and appreciates the blessings from God. Gen 18:9-10.

4.      A strong believer will be tested. Gen 18:11.  The test recorded in Genesis 22 was possibly the greatest test of faith ever recorded short of the testing our Lord endured during His incarnation.  Passing spiritual tests demands the utilization of stored spiritual food.  This in turn results in accelerated spiritual momentum.

5.      A strong believer does not resent the rebuke of love.  Abraham’s wife was rebuked, and she did not resent it; rather she saw the fairness of God in it.  Gen 18:12-25

6.      A mature believer has a ministry of intercession.  Abraham interceded for Lot. Gen 18:16-33

7.      A mature believer has a relaxed attitude toward those who wrong him.  In Gen 18:27-29 Abraham kept a great concern for Lot even though Lot’s attitude toward Abraham was not proper.  After the Lord rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham rose up early in the morning looking in that direction with great concern.  This is the attitude of a great believer.