Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
There are many sermons that have been preached explaining why Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s was not. There are those who claim that it is because Abel offered an animal sacrifice, signifying a blood offering. Others also argue that Abel offered the firstborn of his flock, and therefore, his offering was accepted by God. Another view is that Abel offered the best to God (fat offerings) while Cain just brought an offering of the fruit of the ground. All these views are taken straight from observing the passage in Genesis 4:1-5 and, therefore, have legitimacy. However, the real reason why Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s was not is because Abel offered his by faith while Cain did not. This is what our passage today reveals.
The two brothers had grown up in the same house and heard the same stories about God’s dealings with their parents. It seems, however, that Abel chose to believe God while Cain doubted. Believe what about God, you ask. Hebrews 11:6 shows us the two key elements of faith. That we must believe God is real and that God is a rewarder. Put differently, we must believe in the Godness of God and in the goodness of God. It is not enough to believe that God exists but we must be sure to believe in His benevolence also. Despite what they had heard about God and how He sent Adam and Eve out of the garden, Abel still believed in God. Cain, on the other hand, did not. The result was that Abel’s sacrifice was accepted while Cain’s was rejected. For God will not receive anything from our hands that is not given by faith – with the firm conviction that He is God and that He is good. As Romans 14:23 warns us:
…whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Therefore, whatever we choose to offer to God – time, money, skill, etc – let us ensure that we offer the same by faith. Anything to the contrary, and we are worse off than if we had not offered anything. It is only when we come to God by faith that we are able to offer Him the best of what we have, as Abel did.
Reflections
1. Do you always present your offering to God like Abel did?
