Have you heard Abel’s message?

Hebrews 11:4 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. Our encouragement today comes from Abel. He still speaks. How? He’s dead. And what message does he speak? Before answering these questions, let’s notice that the word translated “obtained the testimony” and “testifying” in this verse is the same word translated in vs. 2 “gained approval.” That’s why I interpreted “gained approval” in vs 2 as having an enduring testimony because of the faith God gave them. Who’s doing the testifying? God is! Notice it says, “God testifying.” It’s not saying that Cain testified of his faith by offering a sacrifice. Abel obtained or received something from God that Cain did not receive. Abel received a testimony from God that he was righteous before Him. He was given faith, an assurance or proof that his offering would be accepted by God. So he offered a better sacrifice than Cain because he was moved by God’s gift of faith. God testified to Abel that he was righteous through the faith He gave to him.  Let’s now connect some dots. Abel’s righteousness didn’t come from Abel. Abel’s sacrifice wasn’t better because he was a good man. His righteousness came from His union with Jesus, which was God’s doing before the foundation of the world. Paul taught this good news explicitly in 1 Cor. 1:30-31.  But by His (God’s) doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” Abel’s faith, which motivated his sacrifice, was a testimony of God to Abel that God put him into Jesus Christ when He died on the cross and was risen from the dead. Jesus was delivered over because of Abel’s transgressions and was raised as a testimony of Abel’s justification or being made righteous. When God gave Abel faith to offer the sacrifice he did, God was testifying to Abel that he would be accepted by Him. The testimony or witness that Abel received from God, the Father, through Jesus Christ, still speaks to us who have also received the same kind of faith as Abel. We know, like Abel, that if we draw near to God through the blood and intercession of Jesus, we will be accepted and will receive whatever grace we need to glorify God. That’s the author’s point in all of these testimonies in chapter 11 of Hebrews. When we live to love with Jesus, we are offering ourselves to God as a sacrifice like Abel offering the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions (Gen. 4:4). Listen to Paul’s calling the church of Ephesus (and you) to live to love with Jesus. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Through faith you have obtained a testimony from God that you are righteous through Jesus Christ, who offered Himself to God as a pleasing aroma to Him. The best way to celebrate Christmas is to walk in love. It’s the best gift we can give to God and everyone else because we love through Jesus Christ. We do so by the very faith He has given us. Abel says your offering will be received and accepted by God. Wow! What good news on this Christmas Day! Do you hear what I hear?