Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
The account of Abel’s and Cain’s offerings can be found in Genesis 4:1-10.
Abel’s sacrifice was a lamb of his flock, while Cain’s sacrifice was that of the crops which he had grown. Both were valuable personal possessions. Both were the result of physical labor of the offering’s giver. Both were given to the Lord.
Why was Abel’s sacrifice “more excellent” than Cain’s sacrifice? According to our Hebrews verse, it was because Abel offered the sacrifice “by faith”. During the sacrifice, as the lamb’s blood was being shed, Abel believed that the Messiah would come and be a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin (see Heb 12:24). In other words, this sacrifice was a display of Abel’s faith.
This same sacrifice declared that Abel had been given righteousness (given to him by God’s grace through faith). By accepting Abel’s offering, God was publically testifying that Abel had received the saving gifts of faith and righteousness.
Although murdered by his brother, Abel’s testimony is still spoken of throughout the ages. How can this be? The public testimony of Abel’s faith was recorded in God’s Word. It is this same Word that is still being read and taught 6000 years later.
Our public testimony, when mixed with faith, is pleasing to God and profitable for man. It has lasting, eternal value. Little did Abel know that one simple sacrifice would result in an ageless example of saving faith and obedience to the Lord; so, too, our testimony of faith. We never know how the Lord may choose to use our testimony in His sovereign plan to redeem mankind from their sin.
May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
i enjoyed reading this
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it... thanks for the kind comments. Lord bless you
ReplyDeleteAn awesome answer to the age old question!
ReplyDeletePastor Rob, I am continually amazed by the infinite variety of ways in which God uses my sacrifices. Just totally spectacular a designer is our God!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Rob. It reminds me of the widow's mite.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for sharing. God bless
amazing..walk by faith not sight.
ReplyDeletePastor J,
ReplyDeleteThe Lord's word is certainly awesome! Lord bless you.
It's such an important point you make that "we never know how the Lord may choose to use our testimony in His sovereign plan to redeem mankind from their sin." Every thing we say and do (and think as it manifests in what we say and do) has the power to lead people to God, away from God, or to continue their indifference towards Him. The fact that God often chooses to use us in His plan for the redemption of others is a both humbling and awesome responsibility. Thank you for reminding us of the need to be motivated by faith in all that we do so that we are wholly usable by God!
ReplyDeleteAMEN! You are so right! Lord bless you.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord's Word is certainly a blessing for us all. Thanks so much for your comments. May the Lord bless you.
ReplyDeleteYou arae so right. The acceptance of Abel's offering which was by faith, this helps us to understand the need to do everything with an exercise of our God given faith. Lord bless you.
ReplyDeleteAMEN to all you have said.... I find that a belief in God's sovereignty only encourages me to be a witness knowing He is in control! Thanks for a great comment!
ReplyDelete"Our public testimony" . . .
ReplyDeleteVery often we are called to wonder about testimony given, and often feel as though nothing was accomplished. We might feel discouraged or even feel a failure. But Hey! It isn't *MY* testimony. It isn't *MY* words. It isn't about *ME*!
My God is Sovereign. He is able to use those words now, or tomorrow, or call to remembrance in years to come. It is another blast in the quarry, and when He is ready, HE will reap the harvest. It is HIS work. It is ALL about HIM!
Thanks for the encouragement to speak a word for Him at every opportunity.
What an amazing God!
You are so right... let's not be discouraged if we don't see immediate results from our witness for Christ.... more often than not.... the results will be seen later in time. Lord bless
ReplyDelete