Genesis 12:1-4 English Standard Version
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Three major religions call Abraham the father of their faith. It was Abram that first heard God, believed God and obeyed God. God changed his name to Abraham later. The basic issues of faith are here in these passages.
God initiates contact. Hearing God speak is the first essential in obedience of faith. Once again, what it the gospel? God speaks.
Secondly we must believe that it is God that we hear. In former times when mankind needed to receive messages from God, He would send angels as messengers. In this personal relationship, it is God speaking to us.
Thirdly we must believe what He has to say to us. Believing that we have heard Him is not sufficient, we must also believe what He said.
Four we must make a choice to obey His commands. Free will has not been removed. We still have the option to ignore His instruction. We are not puppets on a string.
God adds incentives in His call to Abram. He calls for a blessing but it doesn’t stop there. God will bless everyone that blesses Abram and curse those who curse him.
This extends down to every family on earth. This is why three religions call Abraham the father of their faiths.