The Faith of Abel

Hebrews 11:4

(Read Genesis Chapter 4 for a background)

This passage is very important in that it talks about the relationship problem we have with our neighbors. This relationship issue can be resolved by us getting into a right relationship with God the Father first, and then we can relate ourselves with our neighbors in a loving way. Abel set a positive example, whereas Cain set a negative example (for us to avoid). 

Read verse 4 and think about the following statements: 1) By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did; 2) by faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings; and 3) And by faith he still speaks even though he is dead. How are the above statements related to one another?

** The first statement talks about the way for us to get into a right relationship with others, that is, by first getting into a right relationship with God. It even talks about the way for us to get right with God the Father, the source of our life.

The second statement talks about the fruit, that is, as we approach God with faith, God blesses us so that we can be in a right relationship with many. 

The third statement talks about the message which is still ringing in our ears, that is, through faith in the Lord that we can love our neighbor even to the point of shedding blood. 

Consider the statement: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice…” This passage presupposes that it is good to offer a “better” sacrifice to God. What good does the act of offering do for the one who offers? 

** The good that comes out of us making “better” offerings to God is that as we strive to give ourselves to the Lord we can draw near to God; as we draw near to God, we come to know God better; as we come to know God better, we come to draw from him his love mercy compassion love and power, with which we can turn around and love ourselves, and our neighbors better. 

It was “by faith” that Abel did what Cain was not able to. What (or whom) might Abel have believed in? 

** In view of Hebrews 1:6, faith is faith in God who exists and richly rewards those who earnestly seek him. This is “VERY” important for all of us living in a fallen world. Since the fall of the first man Adam, the human race came to be kicked out of the Garden of Eden. This might put a lot of negative thoughts into peoples’ minds against God. But in fact this (eviction) is God’s expression of love, for without resolving one’s sin problem it is even a torturous thing for one to live in the Garden of delight for good. After all God shed blood to forgive the sins of Adam and Eve. So God still loves them. He is still looking for his children to fully repent and come back to him. Eventually in this love God sent Jesus. Jesus, in search of lost sinners, came and gave his life as the ransom sacrifice for many. So Abel’s faith is an example of the faith we are called to have in Jesus. After all can anyone love anyone deeply without first learning of the example of the love our Lord Jesus has for us?

  

The second statement (“By faith Abel was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings”) indicates that it is a worthy proposition for one to be commended by God as a righteous man. Why (is it worthy)? What practical application(s) can we find for our walk in the Lord? 

** It is absolutely worthy, for it is when we get right with God that He can provide us with all we need for life, especially the Spirit of love and power, the love that loves ourselves and our neighbors in the way God loves us, and the power with which to serve others all in their interest.  

** We need to turn to God in and through Jesus that we can get right with God the Father. Then through faith in the Lord, we can get into a right relationship with God. Then we have in our hands a complete solution to the problem of “acceptance”. [An acceptance problem is the problem of one feeling “rejected” by others (God, your neighbor, parents, family members, classmates, etc.).] At the root of this problem is the doubt about God and his love.  

Think about the third statement: “And by faith he still speaks even though he is dead.” What message do you think Abel still has for us?   

** The message Abel speaks ever so loudly is the message of faith, love, and hope, for it is when Abel believed in God’s total goodness, especially God’s loving kindness in which God forgives men of their sins as men turn to God in repentance believing in his sin-forgiving love, that one can love himself, find his self worth before God and men. Then, he can operate as a normal human being, capable of loving others with a sound mind. 

In our generation especially on the college campuses we see so many people suffering from an acceptance problem. Remember that Cain is the first son of the first couple. And it turned out that he murdered his brother. This problem continues in our generation. We do have a serious relationship problem. But Abel’s message gives us the hope to overcome this problem. 

The end

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