Abel's Excellent Sacrifice 2

Hebrews 11:4

Though life is punctuated with serious challenges, confidence in Christ is never misplaced. Faithful responses enable us to continue obediently to ultimately triumph in our difficulties. Even when faced with mortal danger, forsaking Christ is not an option; we must insist on faithfully living by faith.

In Hebrews 11:4, we see a believer of real courage and commitment—Abel.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Abel speaks to believers today as the first martyr for the faith. His essential message is be faithful to the “excellent sacrifice” even unto death. To enlarge further Abel is still saying trust the offering God provides, approach God only through blood sacrifice, and worship God His way—in truth.

Abel’s Excellent Sacrifice Pleases God (Heb. 11:4).

By faith we must hold on to the truth that God is pleased with the “excellent sacrifice” and this warrants a steadfast faith free of any acquiescence! So, what can we learn from Abel that we may be faithful also? Let’s examine further…    

His Performance

Once again it was God who had revealed to Adam and his descendants the true way of worship—how we can truthfully approach a holy God as fallen sinners. Abel accepted this; he fully embraced God’s way to God. Abel obeyed God by faith and “offered a more excellent sacrifice.” His trust and faith were evidenced through his careful adherence to the model God gave. Therefore, he offered the “more excellent sacrifice” without any alterations, embellishments, or modifications. He deemed God’s provision as fully adequate, relevant and satisfying. “More excellent” describes the sacrifice as being more appropriate and fitting, better and more acceptable—superior.

                                                             

The superiority of Abel’s sacrifice to Cain’s, is noted both in what was offered, and in how it was offered. Abel’s sacrifice was offered from a genuine heart as to the Lord, but Cain’s only in show to spotlight himself. The sacrifice of Abel was in faith, while Cain’s was anchored in his performance—human prideful efforts. Abel looked through his sacrifice to the supreme sacrifice of Christ upon Calvary; such was not the case with Cain—only his efforts mattered to him. Abel’s sacrifice was a lamb (a firstling of his flocks), a type of Christ, the Lamb of God; the Lord Jesus who is the firstborn of every creature. Jesus is the “Excellent Sacrifice”! Beloved, there is absolutely no way our efforts can compare to the awesome work of God on our behalf through Jesus Christ.

                                                     

The superiority of Abel’s sacrifice to that of Cain’s, is evident because God regarded it, and not Cain’s (Gen. 4:3). There are two thoughts we should emphasize, first is that the offering of sacrifices was a divine institution, and they were early types of Christ. Secondly, there are two kinds of worshippers, spiritual and carnal ones, whom God can easily distinguish because His perception penetrates to the heart of men. 

Faith in Christ must precede righteous works of service. Faith is evidenced by our service and devotion demonstrating that we are indeed saved individuals. We cannot serve to be saved or to remain saved; redemption-salvation is not an award to be earned. Salvation is purely by God’s unmerited favor towards undeserving people who acknowledge their sinfulness and cling to Christ’s “more excellent sacrifice” by faith. (Adapted from John Gill)

This is precisely what the Apostle Paul described repeatedly in his New Testament writings,

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2Cor. 5:16-21)

You see, it is faith and trust in the reconciling work of God for us and not confidence in our works to please God. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself; what can we possibly offer to compare with Calvary and the empty tomb?

Abel understood this, and he exhibited faith by approaching God with the blood of a sacrifice. Cain, I am afraid to say, never got this. His sacrifice was one of vegetables or fruits and was therefore bloodless. Abel illustrates faithfulness to the truth of salvation by grace through faith—this is his performance. Beloved, weather the subject is salvation, sanctification, service, or glorification, it is always by grace through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Likewise, we too are called to be faithful to this gospel. Cain exemplifies man’s futile attempt to save himself by good works and mere religion. Cain’s way simply does not work no matter how long and hard one may try; man-made religion will always fail those who trust themselves. Why not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? God accepts what Jesus did for us sinner…why don’t you (1 John 2:1-2)?

His Principle

In principle, Abel was a righteous man because of faith in the “excellent sacrifice” (Matt. 23:35).  The Lord Jesus described Abel as “righteous.” God testified to the fact that he was righteous when He received his gift/offering (Heb. 11:4). To his spiritual account righteousness was imputed purely on the bases of his faith (see Romans 4). We are not justified because of our character, religious zeal or good works (no matter how noble or exceptional), but solely because of the excellence of the sacrifice of Christ. All we did was believe, receive and accept Him and His work on our behalf (see Galatians 3).

In addition, Abel’s obedience cost him his life. Cain was not a child of God (1 John 3:12) because he did not have real faith. His works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Abel was killed by Cain because those who love works-righteousness tend to intensely hate the unadulterated grace of God. There is a deep-seated resentment—an aggressive form of jealousy that renders those in its grip murderous. In other words, self-righteous people literally despise the truth that we cannot save ourself and that we must cast ourselves on the love and mercy of God. They cherish deeply the distinction of great ‘spiritual’ vigor, zeal, commitment, and achievements. If they don’t really have anything to be proud of they will resort to pointing out the faults and failures of others to make themselves appear superior and to garner more respect. Such hypocrites are most concerned with their reputation, and first seek to condemn those who do not measure up to their expectations. Grace seems too soft, too easy, too permissive, and too lenient to accept; they find grace utterly offensive and repulsive. This is the best religion can produce…. Cain was religious but clearly not righteous.

Today true righteousness and salvation is only made available through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, the resurrected Lord.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:24-28, KJV)

Beloved, salvation is never by religious works of righteousness that we have achieved, but exclusively according to God’s incredible mercy—He saved us (and not we ourselves) through the regenerating grace and the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit of God (see Titus 3:5, 6). All of this is extravagantly made available to us through our Great and Mighty Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul says to the Galatian churches, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16, KJV)

His Proclamation

Abel still speaks to us today as the first martyr of the faith and his testimony is perpetuated: through his faith he yet speaketh. Though Abel is dead, he still witnesses to us that the life of faith is the life that counts.

Good men die, and some of them die a violent death, as did Abel, yet he speaks in the Scriptures….—John Gill

If you don’t have a cause that is worth dying for, you very likely don’t have anything worth living for.—Unknown

No, the persecution of genuine followers of Jesus Christ is not new and every generation of godly Believers can expect to experience its share of injustices, prejudices, misunderstandings and disadvantages. Christians of every generation have needed the encouragements faithful Abel affords. Let us likewise be faithful to the gospel of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. It is Christ who died, was buried, and rose again the third day as the Scriptures predicted He would hundreds of years before it transpired (1Cor. 15:1-8). Yes, life presents many challenges, but confidence in Jesus Christ is never misplaced. Even when faced with mortal threats forsaking Christ Jesus is not an option. Be faithful to the very end. These persecuted Hebrew believers needed assurance the Christian way, worship, and witness is truly a matter of faith; its foundation is the very Word of God from the earliest accounts. We all can rest assured God fully approves of the life of faith. The cross of Christ is always central to our way, worship, and witness. Stay true, Beloved, stay true to the “more excellent sacrifice.”