“And said, By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for _because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son_: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the world be blessed; _because thou hast obeyed My voice_.” Verses 16-18. 6. What enabled Abraham to endure the test? “By _faith_ Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.” Heb. 11:17. 7. Of what were the works of Abraham an evidence? “Was not Abraham our father _justified_ by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” James 2:21. 8. By his works what was shown to be perfect? “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and _by works was faith made perfect_?” Verse 22. 9. In what statement of the scripture was Abraham’s obedience really implied? “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, _Abraham believed God_, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” Verse 23. 10. What kind of faith avails with God? “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but _faith which worketh by love_.” Gal. 5:6. NOTE.—The faith which justifies is the faith which works. Those who say, and do not, are not men of faith. The obedience which is pleasing to God is the fruit of that faith which takes God at His word, and submits to the working of His power, being fully assured that what He has promised He is able also to perform. This is the faith which is reckoned for righteousness. See Rom. 4:21, 22. 11. For what purpose is the mystery of the gospel made manifest? “But now [the mystery] is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations _for the obedience of faith_.” Rom. 16:26. 12. For what purpose is the grace of Christ received? “Through whom we received grace and apostleship, _unto obedience of faith_ among all the nations, for His name’s sake.” Rom. 1:5, R. V. 13. What example of obedience has Christ set for us? “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and _became obedient unto death_, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:8. 14. At what cost did even He learn the lesson of obedience? “Though He were a Son, yet _learned He obedience by the things which He suffered_.” Heb. 5:8. 15. To whom did Christ become the author of salvation? “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation _unto all them that obey Him_.” Verse 9. 16. How complete should this obedience be? “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and _bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ_.” 2 Cor. 10:5.