Life Capsule for Today Date 12th September, 2022
Theme: Heroes of faith (2)
Text: Heb 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NKJV
Topic: Abel offered an excellent sacrifice
Today’s Reading: Heb 11:4
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. NKJV
Words of the Ministry:
Today we would be considering another hero of faith, this hero of faith was first to be mentioned in the list in Hebrews 11. Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. They gave birth to him after their fall, outside the garden of Eden. Their account said they had a fist son called Cain. He was a farmer while Cain was a shepherd. It happened that a time came for both of them to sacrifice to God. I believe they must have learnt the principle of such sacrifice from their parents who knew God and had fellowship with him before they became poisoned by the devil due to their disobedience. The account of both brothers is recorded in Genesis chapter 4. 1-10.
The bible said Abel gave God the best of his animals as sacrifice but Cain on the other hand brought a portion of his harvest despite knowing God had cursed the ground during the days of his father in Eden. God frowned at the offering of Cain and accepted that of Abel. As a result, Cain was furious and planned to kill his brother Abel, God severally warned him but he wouldn’t listen, he eventually killed Abel and as a result God placed a curse of Cain. God said he heard the voice of Abel’s blood and in Hebrews 11, even after about 5000 years God was still testifying of his excellent sacrifice despite being dead.
You may wonder how does this affect us in this age as we don’t give sacrifices neither are we Adams sons in the flesh. When we apply it to this age and dispensation, we come to the realization that Just as Abel lived in an evil community, he lived a life conscious of God, the meaning of Abel is vapor or breath, he knew life was transient and chose God over all. Despite being in a family of fallen parents and an evil brother whose name Cain meant originator of evil, violence, or greed. Abel chose to live a life of sacrifice pleasing to God. He was the odd one out without a companion or friend to encourage him. He wasn’t discouraged by the prevailing evil nature of his parents and brother. He sought the old ways before the fall. He died for his obedience and today he is a hero of faith.
As we live in a fallen world, its only proper we look away from the prevailing evil in our homes, society and the church, we should choose God over all, presenting our excellent sacrifice which is our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom 12.1). We must not follow the multitude to do evil. We are the Abels of today in the midst of Cains, natural men would not understand us, they may even try to kill or harm us. We must see our lives as vapor and breath, the bible says we are pilgrims on earth (1Pet 2.11), we must live ready to be with the Lord whenever the lord choses, we must also know that our sacrifices are not in vain as a crown of glory awaits us and the record of our sacrificial living is also recorded in the book of life. I like to close with this comforting verses, we must keep it close to our heart Ps 34:15-16 “15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.”
Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 40-42
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