“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4)
Abel was the first murder victim in human history. Despite his shortened life, Abel has set a great example for man to follow still today. As the Hebrew writer so rightly stated, “…he being dead still speaks.” The question is, “What lessons does Abel’s example still communicate with us today?” Let us examine three key lessons from Abel’s example that helps us in our spiritual walk with God.
He knew what pleased God
While there are no specific commandments given in the book of Genesis regarding acceptable sacrifice to God, there remains evidence of such commands when examining the text. The Lord asked Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:7a). The question the Lord asked Cain indicates a standard that both he and his brother Abel were aware of.
Abel complied with the standard and was accepted. Today, we know the standard by which we govern our actions by is the word of God. We follow Abel’s example by reading and studying the word of God that we may know His will for us. However, knowing His will is only a part of what is needed to be pleasing to Him.
He put it into practice
Cain must have known the standard God expected. Otherwise, he would not have been chastened by the Lord. Abel not only knew what God expected, but he made it his practice.
James writes about this very concept. He stated, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22). Jesus raised the question, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). If we are to follow the example of Abel, we must know the word and be a doer of it.
He would not be influenced to do less
When we are striving to be both hearers and doers of the word, we will be met with the influence to give less than our best. We will be around others who take a half-hearted approach to doing the will of God. If we find ourselves asking, “Why am I trying so hard when others are not?” than we need to look back at Abel’s example.
Abel did not allow himself to be influenced by the wrongful sacrifice of Cain. Instead, he maintained his integrity and his stance with God by obeying all that God said to do. If we are not careful, we can be influenced by the practices of others. We must not succumb to a lukewarm approach to Christianity but be like Abel and continue to give God our very best every day.
God Bless each of you,
Eric Hicks