Abel was the first example of faith in the Bible. Adam and Even had talked and walked with God. They had walked with God by sight. Adam walked with God by faith.

1 – It is a proven faith

He offered by faith a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. To please God it required the shedding of blood to cover sins. It was no good covering up with fig leaves. It is important that we do what pleases God. Cain brought an offering but it was not what God required. Cain came with manmade religion. Cain did it his way; Abel did it God’s way.

• A difference in attitude – Abel brought his offering based on his faith. Cain brought it because he had to. One wanted to get to know God. One had to go to church. What is your attitude when you come to worship?
• A difference in approach – Cain’s offering came from the cursed earth. It was something that he had done with his own hands. It was the result of his own works. Cain was trying to earn the favour of God. Good works will not get you into heaven. Cain brings an offering without blood. It requires the shedding of blood if our sins are to be dealt with. See Hebrews 9:22. God requires faith, not feelings. You cannot come to God based on your own terms.
• A difference in acceptance – God had respect with Abel’s offering but not Cain’s offering. How did they know? In other passages of the Bible the fire of God comes down to consume the sacrifice. With Cain’s offering nothing happens.

2 – It is a purified faith

You are purified based on your faith in Jesus Christ. Hollywood gets up in arms over “The Passion of the Christ”. Yet they can produce plenty of filth without anyone complaining. Any time you see a bunch of sinners mad then you know Satan must be worried! The cross was violent. It was brutal. Yet it is accurate. The cross will offend people. We are not to be ashamed of the cross. Faith causes us to be obedient and live a pure life. See Matthew 7:21-22. Abel’s faith was pure because of what he did. See James 2:14-19. The faith that saves you is the faith that changes you for the better. Real faith is what you do. It proves how pure your faith is.

3 – It is a perpetual faith

Although he is dead his faith still speaks to us. He still speaks from the grave. Cain still speaks to us as well. In Jude we have the way of Cain. Abel’s blood cried out to God from the ground. Abel has four things to say about real faith:-

• Nothing but the blood – There is only one thing that can wash our sins away.
• You only come to God by God’s way. There is no other way.
• God denies false faith. It needs to be walk as well as talk.
• Trust God regardless. It cost Abel his life. He is now forever with the Lord.

Categories: Hebrews