Hebrews 11:4 (ESV)
By Faith
4 By
faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
It is hard to make sense out of why Abel’s gift was more acceptable in the book of Genesis. In today’s reading, we get a little more insight. The Hebrew’s author states that Abel’s gift
was a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. The Formula of Concord (Solid Declaration) states: “In this life the good works of believers are imperfect and impure because of sin in the flesh, nevertheless
they are acceptable and well pleasing to God. However, the Law does not teach how and why the good works of believers are acceptable. It demands a completely perfect, pure obedience if it is to please God. But the Gospel teaches that our spiritual offerings
are acceptable to God through faith for Christ’s sake” (FC SD VII 22).[1]
I pray: O Lord,
help me to give to you in faith and with a good attitude. Let my gifts be acceptable and well pleasing to You. Amen.