| THE RESULTS OF FAITH We read these verses yesterday but there is so much more for us to see in them. These verses speak about faith. What is faith? It is believing what God has said and acting accordingly. Those last two words 'acting accordingly' should always be the effect or result of faith. That result should be seen in our lives. Here in this chapter there is a long list of men and women in whose lives and actions their faith was seen. Eighteen people are mentioned by name. Faith brings God's approval (v. 2). Faith brings understanding (v. 3). Faith brings action and acceptance (v. 4). Abel listened to what God had said about sacrifices so he brought a lamb whose blood was to be shed to cover his (Abel's) sin. How did Abel know what God wanted? Faith is based on knowledge of the Word of God. Adam must have told Abel and Cain what God had told him. Cain did not fully obey what he had been told. Remember 'faith is believing what God has said and acting accordingly'. Cain brought an offering but not what God had asked for. Abel said by his offering 'I'm a sinner. God, you said that if I brought a sacrifice of a lamb, you'd accept me.' Perhaps he thought 'I don't quite understand but that is what God has asked for so I will do what he says'. The emphasis was on what God wanted, not on Abel. Even though he has been dead for thousands of years, Abel is still saying to us 'Trust God. Do it God's way. Put yourself in his hands. Trust his sacrifice for your sins.' It is hard sometimes to do things in God's way. Churches don't always find it easy. We don't ourselves. Is there something God is asking you to do but you want to do it in your own way? Listen to Abel and follow his example. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Faith worships in God's way, not ours. | 
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