Genesis 4:4. Full of Faith = Faithful


Genesis 4:4 “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:” 

    When Abel approached the Lord, he brought the firstborn of his sheep, and “of the fat thereof.” What is the significance of the fat? In Hebrew the phrase is min cheleb (kheh’-leb,) which means of the best or choicest of the flock. Like Cain, Abel brought his first and best before the Lord. Like his brother, he had to depend on God to give life and make his offering grow and flourish, while also working hard in cooperation with divine power to raise, protect and nourish it. But none of these facts, positive though they are, account for God’s acceptance of Abel and his offering. God “had respect unto Abel and to his offering” because Abel had respect unto God and His instructions. Or as God explains the principle elsewhere, “them that honour me will I honour” (1 Samuel 2:30). Abel properly left human innovation and rationalization out of the salvation question. He trusted and respected God enough to follow His exact specifications.
    God had asked for a lamb. The inspired commentary on this story says that it was by faith that Abel brought “a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts” (Hebrews 11:4). Thus the proof is conclusive: God’s testimony, his prophetic Word spoke of the Lamb. Abel was full of faith in that Word, therefore he was faithful, and it was counted to him for righteousness. 
    Do you want God to testify in your favor when your case comes up in the judgment? Cultivate faith in the Lamb, and you will find grace to do 100% of what He says. Don’t settle for anything less.  

Comments

My photo
Ezra James
The Word of God is bread from heaven. God sent it, but we must gather it, appreciate it, digest it, and live by it. These days it is increasingly scarce. Many are starving for it and don't know it because they keep feasting on bad bread that doesn't satisfy. But if we would learn to carefully gather up the fragments of the True, Heavenly Bread of Life, we would always enjoy a feast of crumbs, because even God's crumbs are miracles mighty to save (Mark 7:24-30). ESPAÑOL: La Palabra de Dios es pan del cielo. Dios lo envió, pero debemos recogerlo, apreciarlo, digerirlo y vivir por él. Hoy en día es cada vez más escaso. Muchos están muriendo de hambre por falta de él sin saberlo porque se alimentan de pan falso que no satisface. Pero si aprendiéramos a recoger cuidadosamente los fragmentos del Verdadero Pan Celestial, Pan de Vida, siempre disfrutaríamos de un banquete de migajas, porque hasta las migajas de Dios son milagros poderosos para salvar (Marcos 7:24-30).