Faith’s Hall Of Fame: Abel
There’s a lot that gets lost when we look at the relationship between Cain and Abel in the Old Testament. They both brought sacrifices to God but only one of them was pleasing God.
Faith’s Hall Of Fame: Abel
Hebrews 11:4
“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous.”
There’s a lot that gets lost when we look at the relationship between Cain and Abel in the Old Testament. They both brought sacrifices to God but only one of them was pleasing God. What was it about Abel‘s offering that made it acceptable while Cain’s was not?
Many people have debated this issue over the years. I think the best approach to take is to ask ourselves what it is that causes God to reject other offerings in the Bible? The overwhelming answer is that the heart needs to be in the right place.
The book of Genesis doesn’t really tell us what was going through the minds of these two brothers. Abel brought an offering from his herds while Cain’s offering came from the produce of the ground, but there is a subtle clue that tells us something about the heart of Abel.
Abel’s offering was from the “fat portions“ of the animal. In other words, he brought the good stuff. When he butchered his cow, he took the best cuts and offered them to God. He gave God the Porterhouse and kept the burger meat for himself.
The book of Hebrews includes Abel in the Hall of Fame of Faith because he brought his offering “with faith”. He truly meant it when he brought the best portion to God. Cain brought some produce. There’s no mention of first fruits or choosing the best of the crop. His heart just wasn’t in it. He was fulfilling an obligation while Abel was showing his love and dedication to God.
This story gives us an idea of what God wants from us. He doesn’t want lipservice and he doesn’t want going through the motions. God builds His relationships around love and commitment.
Does that reflect your worship? Is that the trademark of your faith? If you’re just in it to go through the motions, trying and appease God, you’re not getting it.
God wants your love and faith. With just those two things, He can make something great out of you. He specializes in that.
