Heroes & Heroines of Faith Series Part 1: Abel

On By EfuaIn bible, christian, Christian blogging, christianity, Heroes & Heroines of Faith Series

Thanks for joining me on this ride. Hebrews 11:4 tells us of Abel.

[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.

To get a better understanding of what the above text is about, let’s go back to the story of Abel as seen in Genesis 4:3-10.

Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer who cultivated crops and Abel was into animals. Both of them brought offerings to God. Interestingly, the offering of Abel was described; “And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions…..” Genesis 4:4, but that of Cain wasn’t. In the end, Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s was rejected.

What made Abel’s offering accepted?

I’m not a theologian, but from my little research and from what i sense in my spirit, i feel these were the reasons.

  • He gave his best. I believe the emphasis on Abel’s offering suggests that he didn’t just pick anything. He gave the best he had. Not only did he offer his first fruit (which is a metaphor for Jesus Christ), he also gave the best of it.
  • He gave in faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”Romans 10:17. This second text makes me believe that he acted based on what he heard from God. He obeyed God to the letter. Anything done outside faith is done by sight (flesh) and that can be a sin.
  • He was in right standing with God. The offering of a sinner is an abomination to God (Proverbs 15:8). Cain on the other hand i believe was unremorseful and blew the chance he had. Despite being rebuked by God in Genesis 4:7, he showed no sign of remorse and he didn’t repent.
  • Not only was his offering a sacrifice, his life also became a sacrifice. He died for his belief.

Abel is bearing witness for or against my walk.

  • Am i giving my best to God? David said in 2 Samuel 24:24 “…I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing…”. This made me start thinking. Am i giving God my best? If my offering and service is placed side by side Abel’s, will mine be accepted or rejected like that of Cain? I don’t want us to relate this with seed offering only (of course it’s part of it), but let’s examine our time, strength, the way we do what God has told us to do, our jobs (yes, because we are to serve as unto the Lord), our roles as wives, as husbands, as children, as ministers, as leaders, as bloggers because we will give an account to God of what we did with our blog too. Will our service if passed through the fire, come out alive or will the fire consume it? Will it go before God as a sweet smelling aroma or will the smell be the one that God doesn’t recognise?
  • Am i giving in faith? Abel’s faith enabled him to be in tune with what was to come. He never knew that what he did was a symbol of what God was going to do in the future. Did you catch that? Faith makes us see beyond the now. Let me give a practical example. God might be leading you to deliver a message to someone. In your knowledge, that message may not make sense because everything seems fine with that person. But then because your faith is active, God opens your eyes to see what is to come in that person’s life. Few months or years later after delivering that message, you receive a phone call of how that message came to pass. This can only happen with faith because if you are to go by sight, the message won’t make any sense. So am i living a faith based walk or am i living by sight? Am i obedient to God?
  • Am i in right standing with God? To be in right standing with God is a gift from God. Righteousness isn’t by works. It is something that God has given to us freely as a result of what Jesus did on the cross. Do i believe in this? Do i have faith that i am righteous because God has made me so? Am i trying to win God over by thinking that i am able to be righteous on my own? Am i attributing my righteousness to my works instead of grace?
  • Am i willing to die for my faith? If i die today, will my story be like Abel’s?

Like i said in my introduction, these people walked on this planet. I would like to think that Cain’s evil heart didn’t just appear on the day of the offering. Abel must have been seeing traces of this bitterness. If my assumption is correct, it means Abel had to put up with trouble from his brother and yet his service to his brother was acceptable to God. Will God consider my service to my family members same? How do i handle family disputes? Do i allow God lead me in this regard or do i rely totally on my emotions?

I love it when God shows me my real self as i study His word. I always consider the bible as a mirror for myself. It makes me see what i need to adjust and what i need to continue doing. Seeing i am nowhere near Abel, i have decided to be mindful of how i handle family dispute, mindful of what and how i present my service to God bearing in mind that this applies to my life in general and also be mindful that i am walking by faith and not by sight.

Has this ministered to you in any way? What are your decisions? Leave them in the comment section below.

See you tomorrow as we look at another great man called Enoch.

God bless!

43 thoughts on “Heroes & Heroines of Faith Series Part 1: Abel”

  2. So true how God shows our real selves as we read and study the word. One hand that’s scary, who wants to be confronted with their own junk right? And on the other how can we grow if we are not handed a holy mirror?

    What you have written about giving our best has impacted me. I will be totally honest, it’s sometimes more convenient to give God my left overs rathe than my best. Something to think about there.

    Thanks for posting 🙂

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    1. “who wants to be confronted with their own junk right?”. The pruning process isn’t just scary to face but also can be very painful. I often pray that God should break me, purge me and replace my stony heart with a heart of flesh. Sweet words to pray but painful process to undertake. However like you said every process has brought growth with it. Thanks for your contribution.

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      1. Read you loud and clear my friend. I remember for a few years after I became a Christian I would pray that God would shake the boat and that I would grow, no matter how painful it was. Whether we like it or not there will always be growth, I think I would rather participate in it than stand in the way of it if u know what I mean

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  6. WOW!!! THIS IS SOOO GOOD! I love the depth of this, and how truly relatable this is to our lives and our walk with Christ. This particular topic, Abel and Cain, has been one of discussion between a friend and I, and I think you painted the picture beautifully. 🙂 Keep listening to God, cause I love hearing what He has to say through you. 🙂

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    1. My sis, I am truly humbled by your comment. I am glad that my blog is able to impact your life in a little way. Yours is always a blessing to me and I always look forward to reading your posts. Keep allowing God use you as your bring others to the knowledge of the truth through your blog. God bless you indeed!🙂

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  9. Wow, this blog post is such confirmation in adult form of Exactly what we taught the kids today in children’s church!
    I️ actually struggled hard today with being in Children’s church because I️ felt as though I️ was missing out from what God was doing in the main service, and was praying to God if I️ made the right choice to serve there. But then I️ come across this read that confirms all that we taught them today! I️ truly believe this is God’s way of saying that I’m right where I️ need to be! Thank you for being a willing vessel to be used so strategically! Much needed and right on time!

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    1. Awww Richarra. I am very grateful for your sweet comment. I truly find comments like these humbling. God bless you. As a mum of 3, I am always praying for children teachers because it know what it’s like. And so I extend my prayers to you. That God will strengthen you in this assignment that He has given you. I understand that feeling of being left out. However our blessings are found in what God has called us to do; not what we feel we should be doing. I thank God for giving you listening ears and an obedient heart to heed to His call. Stay in that soil and continue to water the hearts of those little kings and queens you are raising. Every word that is spoken to them is a seed that will germinate. And always remember that your labour of love is never forgotten by God. I will continue to lift you up in my prayers Sis. Much love sis🙂

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    1. I really appreciate you taking time to read my blog post. And thank you so much for your kind words. I pray we apply these words to our lives daily. Well done for the work you are doing for Christ. God is using you to change lives. Blessings!🙂

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  17. Beatrice Kieriama

    Wow! This is so deep & expository. It’s so challenging & got me thinking, especially the part that talks about “Am I giving my best to God?” To think that I’ve read these portions of the Bible a couple of times & can even boldly say I know the story so well, but I’ve never looked at/seen it this way. It’s amazing how the Holyspirit reveals mysteries & teaches us all things. No wonder 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” . This indeed is a food for thought & something to reflect on. As a matter of fact, each of the points appealed to me & struck me in diverse ways, but I’ll stop here for now, while i ponder on my thoughts. Thanks for yielding yourself to the Holyspirit…more grace for more insightful & thought provoking articles. God bless you sis!

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    1. Thanks sis. I honestly can relate with what you said. I have known this story since children church days lol.. Of a truth the word of God is ever new! I am glad you found this post challenging like i did. Since i posted it, i have found myself going back to it several times to get back on track. I thank God. I really appreciate you reading and commenting. God bless you my lovely sis 🙂 🙂

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