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Abel In Our Message
Abel In Our Message
Hebrews 11:4 – “[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.”
Hebrews 12:24-25 – “And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message that the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance]. So see to it that you do not reject Him or refuse to listen to and head Him Who is speaking [to you now]. For if they [the Israelites] did not escape when they refused to listen and heed Him Who warned and divinely instructed them [here] on earth [revealing with heavenly warnings His will], how much less shall we escape if we reject and turn our backs on Him Who cautions and admonishes [us] from heaven?”
1 John 3:11-12 – “For this is the message (the announcement) which you have heard from the first, that we should love one another, [And] not be like Cain who [took his nature and got his motivation] from the evil one and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his deeds (activities, works) were wicked and malicious and his brother’s were righteous (virtuous).”
The Bible says Abel spoke and not only did he speak, but he spoke righteous words. If Abel spoke, then what did he say? We have to know his message so we can be like Abel in message. Well, I find it amazing how an illiterate man by the name of Muhammad, who founded the religion of Islam, comes along some hundreds of years later to tell us what it was Abel had to say. In Surah 5:27-31, the Koran gives its version of what “really” took place in Genesis 4. In Surah 5:27-31, the Koran reads, “Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! They each presented a sacrifice to Allah: it was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: ‘Be sure I will slay thee.’ ‘Surely,’ said the former, ‘Allah doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous. If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds. For me, I intend to let thee draw on thyself my sin as well as thine, for thou wilt be among the Companions of the Fire, and that is the reward of those who do wrong.’ The selfish soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered Him, and became himself one of the lost ones.’ Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide the naked body of his brother. ‘Woe is me!’ said he; ‘Was I not even able to be as this raven, and to hide the naked body of my brother?’ Then he became full of regrets.”
If this is not what Abel said, then what is he saying? Abel is telling us today that “Actions Speak Louder Than Words.” Christians have to be in the business of Affirmative Action. What is meant by Affirmative Action is not the same definition held in society. In society, Affirmative Action is a policy or a program that seeks to redress past discrimination through active measures to ensure equal opportunity, as in education and employment. However, the Affirmative Action the Christian needs to apply is living an optimistic and positive life in Christ, in order to expose and eradicate transgressions being committed against God and us. It does not matter what someone says about us, if our action contradicts what is being said, then honest and sincere members of humanity will believe what they see and not what they hear. This is exactly how Abel spoke; through his action. Through his action, Abel is saying, “If you give God your very best, like I gave God my best, then God will respect you, like he respected me.” Through his vitality, Abel is saying, “If you have faith in God and obey His word, like I had faith in God and obeyed His word, then God will accept you, like he accepted me.” Through his animation, Abel is saying, “If you live a holy and consecrated life, like I lived a holy and consecrated life, then Christ will call you righteous, just like He called me righteous.” The message of Abel is that actions always speak louder than words. ARE YOU ABLE IN MESSAGE?
Are we Abel? Are we able to please God? Are we able to have faith in God? Are we able to diligently seek God? Are we able to obey God? Are we able to give our best to God? Are we able to make sacrifices for God? Are we able to obtain righteousness in Christ? Are we able to have our actions speak for us? Yes, we are able to be like Abel, if we have Christ in our lives (Philippians 4:13).
