The Great Sin of Abraham

Abraham is the great patriarch of Christianity. Not only Christianity, but three main religions of the world celebrate Abraham as their spiritual father: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Abraham was used mightily by God in the Scriptures, but he was not perfect and committed a grave mistake in response to God's promise. Abraham committed a terrible sin which has plagued Christianity to this day. God told Abraham that He would give him seed which would be blessed abundantly and in which the Messiah Jesus would eventually come...

“And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.” – Genesis 12:7

“For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.” – Genesis 13:15-16

As we can see, God made this promise repeatedly to Abraham that he would produce a child, but Abraham would not wait on God's timing.

“And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” – Genesis 15:2, 4-6 

Abraham received his salvation by accepting through faith that he would produce a seed which would be the Messiah (Savior) Jesus to come. However, as we read further in the story, we find Abraham couldn't wait on God’s timing for this birth promise; Abraham instead heeds his wife Sarah's advice in defiance towards God taking matter into his own hands.

“Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.” – Genesis 16:1-4

Sarah quickly regretted this decision, but it was too late. A child would be born, but not the chosen child of God in which the Messiah would come through. 

 “And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” – Genesis 16:11-12

Ishmael was born. Ishmael was not wrong in being born, but Abraham and Sarah sinned against God. Because of this sin, the birth of Ishmael paved the way for a religion which is in direct contrast to Christianity. The religion of Islam now resides tracing roots back from the birth of Ishmael. 

Ishmael is recognized as an important prophet and patriarch of Islam. Muslims believe that Ishmael was the firstborn of Abraham, born to him from Sarah's handmaid, Hagar. Ishmael is recognized by Muslims as the ancestor of several prominent Arab tribes and the forefather of Muhammad.

The curse of Islam has and is plaguing Christianity even today. Islam rejects the Trinity of God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). Islam rejects the deity of Christ, claiming He is neither God, nor the Son of God according to their sacred text in the Quran. Islam rejects Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World, and the only way to Heaven. Islam attacks the very fundamentals of Christianity.

Muhammad is not a Savior. Allah is a false god and the not the one and only true God (Jehovah) of the Bible. Muhammad lies dead in his grave with no saving power just like every other religious figure. Muhammad, Allah, and Islam have no authority nor power to save your soul, as neither do any of the various religions in the world. 

Only Jesus Christ can save you. Jesus is God in flesh who died a substitutionary death on the cross for all your sins and rose from the grave proving He is God (see my article titled "Jesus is God"). Trust in Him today to receive your salvation. He is the only access to God the Father. Jesus is not a way to Heaven, but He is the only way!

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (Jesus Christ) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12 

“To him (Jesus Christ) give all the prophets witness, that through his name (Jesus Christ) whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” – Acts 10:43

 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6

Abraham committed a major sin, but that sin didn't stop God from fulfilling His promise and sending the Savior into the world (Luke 2:11). Jesus was born; Jesus died. Jesus rose to life again victoriously conquering the sin penalty for mankind, and He lives forevermore offering salvation to all who will trust in Him. Don't delay, trust Christ today.