How We Avoid Hell 

     In the first book, Genesis, we find the answer in chapter 15-v. 6. Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 

     Is it that simple? When God promised Abram and his wife a child, and they both were beyond child-bearing years, Abram still believed God. Is that all? 

     Believe (Hebrew 'aman') means to persevere in trust and belief with obedient faithfulness. Abram trusted God. He was in a right relationship with God and his will. He received God as his shield and reward. So, no, belief isn't a one-time statement that carries us through to salvation. 

     In Genesis 22 Abraham's faith was tested when God told him to take his son Isaac to a mountain and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. When this father had raised his knife, an angel intervened, saying, "Now I know that you fear God..." Now, God knew that Abraham was a God-fearing man whose chief concern was to do God's will.   

     Abraham had many offspring, and today he is considered the "father of all who believe." - New Testament, Romans 4:11. 

     Has yours truly been tested? Yes, but I didn't have to threaten my kids to prove my faithfulness. Have you been tested? We recommend you read all of Genesis chapter 22.

           Jimmy