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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n Abel is credited with speaking three times in the Bible. But in each case, he \u201cspeaks” without words. In Genesis 4:10 Abel\u2019s blood cries; in Hebrews 11:4 and 12:24 Abel\u2019s sacrifice speaks. Influence, whether good or bad, is powerful. Abel\u2019s life has been speaking for thousands of years, but what does it say?<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Faith Gives Its Best <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Abel brought of the \u201cfirstlings of the flock and of the fat thereof\u201d (Gen. 4:4). Abel\u2019s \u201cmore excellent sacrifice” might refer primarily to quantity, to a generous sacrifice. God was pleased with his “gifts” (Heb. 11:4), implying an abundant offering.<\/span><\/p>\n Faith makes the difference between the acceptable and unacceptable offering, whether it be money, worship, or time. “By faith\u201d Abraham offered his own son (Heb. 11:17). The Macedonians abounded in the riches of liberality and gave beyond their power because they first gave themselves to the Lord, a definition of real faith (2 Cor. 8:2\u20135).<\/span><\/p>\n How we use our money is an accurate measure of our faith. We advertise our unbelief when we can drive two or three good cars, live in a comfortable, well-furnished house, wear expensive clothes, eat the best food, buy the newest gadgets, spend several hundred dollars on recreation each year\u2014and return a mere token of our wealth to the Lord. Some day we shall have to explain how we acquired a financial estate for ourselves but could not share our spiritual estate with the lost. Abel shouts to us, “Bring your firstlings!\u201d Christ echoes, “Seek ye first His kingdom!\u201d (Mat 6:33).<\/span><\/p>\n Faith Justifies<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Abel was pronounced righteous by faith. His parents and brother were rejected by God because they lacked faith. Abel personifies man\u2019s appropriate response to God. Abel was the first to demonstrate the principle announced in Habakkuk 2:4: “the righteous shall live by faith,” also a frequent New Testament quotation.<\/span><\/p>\n Faith Obeys<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “By faith Abel offered . . .” (Heb. 11:4). Only when his faith led him to obedience did God bear witness to him “that he was righteous.\u201d Cain tragically illustrates the end of a mere intellectual belief in God that disregards God\u2019s instructions. His offering was rejected. Faith which comes by hearing God\u2019s Word (Rom. 10:17) does not play presumptuous games with God. The interdependence of faith and obedience is a recurring emphasis of the New Testament. The two are used interchangeably by Christ, as recorded in John 3:36. The availing principle with God is \u201cfaith working through love” (Gal. 5:6). Disobedience and unbelief are used synonymously in Hebrews 3:18\u201319. The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is not Biblical. Biblical faith is always an obedient, working faith.<\/span><\/p>\n Faith Is Worth the Price<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Abel\u2019s faith likely evoked ridicule from Cain. Cain was careless in his offering, rebellious when it was rejected, jealous of Abel\u2019s acceptable sacrifice, and sarcastic when asked about Abel\u2019s disappearance (Gen. 4:4\u20139).<\/span><\/p>\n Whatever influence his brother might have used to weaken him, Abel\u2019s faith remained firm. His death was directly related to his faithful sacrifice. The first example of faith in all history is one which cost the believer his life! Servants of God are not promised immunity from suffering but are rather warned that they will suffer for their faith. Abel exhorts, \u201cKeep your faith regardless of the price.”<\/span><\/p>\n Abel\u2019s faith has not been silenced. Nor can it be, for true faith endures. After we are dead, what message will our influence speak?<\/span><\/p>\n [NOTE:<\/strong> Written for and published in 20th<\/sup> Century Christian <\/em>quarterly, March 1974, published by 20th<\/sup> Century Pub. Co., Nashville, TN.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 2[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3 page.] Abel is credited with speaking three times in the Bible. But in each case, he \u201cspeaks” without words. In Genesis 4:10 Abel\u2019s blood cries; in Hebrews 11:4 and 12:24 Abel\u2019s…<\/p>\n