Vayeira

In commenting on the enigmatic passage of Abraham being called to sacrifice his son Isaac, Ramban, Nachmanides, makes a powerful observation. He says that while the episode is a test it is not the kind of test we are accustomed to seeing. 

God knew the outcome of the test. God knows it all. So what then was the point of directing His servant, Abraham, to offer up his son?
Ramban reveals to us that what we think is unrealized potential. In other words, everyone would say they would do the right thing, if called upon. But, until the time comes when we are actually called to act, it is only a thought, an idea. When we ultimately find ourselves in that situation and respond to the calling do we release the quality of goodness from a mere thought into the physical realm.
At the moment when Abraham responded to the demand of God he released his inner well of goodness. "He brought forth the potential into actuality."
Thinking good thoughts are only the first step in meeting God. The consummate meeting takes place when we turn those thoughts into action.