DAILY BREAD, Thursday, 2-1-07
Abel
Neal Pollard
Neal Pollard
Abel is one of the first true victims of the Bible, if not the first hero. In fact, he is the first character about whom there is only good spoken in the Genesis record. Abel comes onto the scene offering God acceptable worship and he leaves life as a martyr for his righteous conduct. However, writers as late as John and Hebrews look back on his life near the beginning of time to make distinct, New Testament points. He is a vital biblical character from whom we learn at least three important things.
We see the importance of Abel's offering (Gen. 4:4). It was his firstlings. The Lord has respect unto Abel's offering. John would write, "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous" (1 John 3:11-12). Abel worshiped God the way God wanted to be worshiped, and how does He want to be worshiped? Jesus plainly answers, "God is spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
We see the importance of Abel's blood (Heb. 12:24). Blood sacrifice has seemingly been an intrinsic part of man's spiritual relationship with God since the dawn of time. Blood is vital to life. Giving of blood is the greatest expression of sacrifice. Abel died as the result of innocence and righteousness. That blood even "cried out to God" after Abel's murder (Gen. 4:10-11). Yet, Abel, as righteous as he was, was a sinner. Moreover, his blood saves no one from sins. As important as his shedding of blood is to the unfolding of history, Jesus' blood is superior (Heb. 12:24). He was perfectly innocent, and His death was an offering of the just for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18). His sacrifice is also the means whereby man is saved from his sins (Eph. 1:7).
We see the importance of Abel's faith (Heb. 11:4). Among the mighty in faith throughout the ages, Abel's name is prominently etched. "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks." Herein we see that Abel's faith was--(1) active, (2) saving, (3) notable, and (4) influential. First, his faith acted. He offered a sacrifice. Next, his faith was productive. God counted him righteous as the result of his faith. He did not earn that recognition, but God granted it as the result of his faith. Then, his faith is noteworthy. It was such faith that God testified of Abel's sacrifice, the product of his faith. Finally, his faith is influential, as it is still upheld nearly six thousand years later as an example for us to follow. Though he is dead, his faith is still living and leading people today. Thereby, one today can learn and should imitate the type faith Abel had.
Abel is a total hero for the ages. He can be described by such adjectives as faithful, righteous, innocent, and better. Let us learn from and imitate this patriarchal giant so we can shine as a beacon of faith, sacrifice, and obedience even after we depart this life!
We see the importance of Abel's offering (Gen. 4:4). It was his firstlings. The Lord has respect unto Abel's offering. John would write, "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous" (1 John 3:11-12). Abel worshiped God the way God wanted to be worshiped, and how does He want to be worshiped? Jesus plainly answers, "God is spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
We see the importance of Abel's blood (Heb. 12:24). Blood sacrifice has seemingly been an intrinsic part of man's spiritual relationship with God since the dawn of time. Blood is vital to life. Giving of blood is the greatest expression of sacrifice. Abel died as the result of innocence and righteousness. That blood even "cried out to God" after Abel's murder (Gen. 4:10-11). Yet, Abel, as righteous as he was, was a sinner. Moreover, his blood saves no one from sins. As important as his shedding of blood is to the unfolding of history, Jesus' blood is superior (Heb. 12:24). He was perfectly innocent, and His death was an offering of the just for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18). His sacrifice is also the means whereby man is saved from his sins (Eph. 1:7).
We see the importance of Abel's faith (Heb. 11:4). Among the mighty in faith throughout the ages, Abel's name is prominently etched. "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks." Herein we see that Abel's faith was--(1) active, (2) saving, (3) notable, and (4) influential. First, his faith acted. He offered a sacrifice. Next, his faith was productive. God counted him righteous as the result of his faith. He did not earn that recognition, but God granted it as the result of his faith. Then, his faith is noteworthy. It was such faith that God testified of Abel's sacrifice, the product of his faith. Finally, his faith is influential, as it is still upheld nearly six thousand years later as an example for us to follow. Though he is dead, his faith is still living and leading people today. Thereby, one today can learn and should imitate the type faith Abel had.
Abel is a total hero for the ages. He can be described by such adjectives as faithful, righteous, innocent, and better. Let us learn from and imitate this patriarchal giant so we can shine as a beacon of faith, sacrifice, and obedience even after we depart this life!
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