Faith Commended

Have you ever wondered why some people serve and it seems that their faith is more commendable?

Have you ever thought, that person (he or she) God seems to regard them in a higher way?

Have you ever wondered, “how do I get there with God?”

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

A Better Faith

Hebrews 11:4 (ESV)

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain,…

Maybe, like many others, you and I look at this passage and wonder the honest wondering: “Why did God accept one and not the other? The law had not yet been delivered.”

Scholars disagree as to the reasons behind the accepting of Abel and not Cain.

Yet, we do have some information that leads to some possibilities:

There is no Mosaic or Levitical law as of yet. So the standard

Genesis 4:4–5 (ESV)

and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,

but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Genesis 4:3 ESV

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,

A Righteous Faith

Hebrews 11:4 (ESV)

“…through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts...”

Genesis 4:5–8 ESV

5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Jude 10–11 ESV

10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Genesis 3:21 ESV

And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

A Speaking Faith

Hebrews 11:4 (ESV)

“…God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

It is a faith that resonates the work, the hand, and the worth of God.

Hebrews 12:24 ESV

and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Walking Away, But In…

Be commended by a better faith

Be commended by a righteous faith

Be commended because your faith speaks.