Today's "short thoughts" come from one of my favorite verses of scripture. The passage is found in Hebrews 11:4, where the author begins to write of specific people and incidents of faith. In this verse we read, "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks." Forgive me if my thoughts are a little lengthy today.
It appears obvious that Abel's sacrifice was better than Cain's because it was offered by faith. And perhaps equally obvious, is that Cain's sacrifice was inferior to Abel's because it was not offered by faith. In this account, faith and an obedient heart appear joined together as one. We cannot point to a particular verse of scripture and say for certain that God had given instructions regarding sacrifice.We might assume that He had revealed this to Adam and that Adam had taught his two sons. However, it does appear from the context of the account that each brother knew what God required. Abel had offered his sacrifice accordingly while Cain had not. Abel had believed God. Cain however, had chosen to sacrifice in a different manner, one of his own choosing. Cain failed to believe God.
But the lesson I would like to focus on today is the one that we find in the latter part of today's verse in Hebrews. It is a vital lesson for believers to learn. I have come to believe that it is one of the most important matters for the child of God to consider. It is a lesson that I know about, but one I am still in the process of learning. Today, I find myself in the year 2010 and through faith, Abel is still speaking. We must not allow this to go unnoticed. Abel has been dead for a few thousand years and yet he still speaks!
In short, here is the lesson I wish to convey. One day, save His coming, you and I will experience death. And we must understand, that though we lie dead one day, we will continue to speak. What will I speak? What will you speak? Will you and I be among those who speak through faith, of Christ and the riches of knowing Him? Will we speak of the glories found in serving Him and in enjoying fellowship with His people?
Perhaps you will speak to your spouse, your children, and your grandchildren or to other family members. Or maybe you will speak to a brother or sister in Christ, or to someone who knows not Christ now, but presently lies in darkness. I suggest that we will speak to many who remain after us. There is another side to this that I must address. Cain is also still speaking. He speaks not through faith and the glories of obedience but he speaks nonetheless. He speaks of disobedience and a life not of faith.
Like Abel and Cain, what we speak after we are dead will be determined by the life that we live now. We have not the option, after death, to speak something different than what we have spoken in life. May we consider this matter with sober mindedness and look to Christ and all He provides to live lives of faith. What a privilege will be ours; to live lives of faith in Christ and then continue to speak of Him through faith after we are gone. Praise God!
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