“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” (Hebrews 11:4)
So what does faith look like in the real world? That’s the question Hebrews 11 answers by pointing to real-world people who made choices based on faith in what they could not see.
I’m not sure Abel is the most encouraging example to kick things off with. After all, he died for his act of faith, killed by his jealous and apparently faithless brother. But we see three big things about faith choices from his story.
1) Faithful sacrifice doesn’t always lead to a “good” outcome on this side of heaven. In fact, it might get you killed.
2) God honors those who trust him with their actions. What is it worth to be “lifted up” by God?
3) Our acts of faithfulness may outlive us. Abel’s example is still echoing off the walls of history and contributing to the glory of God long after he and his brother and everyone he knew at the time have died. What else can you do that will matter (in a good way) a hundred, a thousand, or a million years from now?
Think: Has acting on your faith in the invisible God ever cost you anything? Has it ever gained you anything? How can you know?
Pray: Ask God to help you to be willing to act based on your faith in him even if it may cost you something valuable.
Do: Make a quick list of three choices you made this week because you believe God.