Faith

Atonement: Your Way or His Way?

Abel, the first man of faith listed in Hebrew 11, was looking for atonement. We all need forgiveness. Each though we know that Jesus has washed away all of our sins, we need to go to Him to claim that forgiveness, acknowledge our weaknesses, and confess our sin. The Jews and all those who lived before Christ offered sacrifices on the altar to obtain forgiveness. The very first sacrifices recorded in the Bible were those of Cain and Abel. Abel’s was accepted, and Cain’s was rejected. (Genesis 4:3-5).

Abel recognized that he was sinful and understood that the true way of atonement was to offer a blood sacrifice. Abel did not invent his own path to forgiveness. He did it God’s way, demonstrating that he had no righteousness of his own. Abel knew that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, and threw himself on the mercy of God was cleansed.

Cain, on the other hand, was probably singing that famous old song, “I Did It My Way” as he came to the altar with the fruit of his hands. Cain was giving thank offering, but there was no recognition of his sin, of his need of atonement. Abel showed that faith does it God’s way! Both he and his brother knew that there is no remission of sin without the shedding blood, but Cain did not put the faith into action. Abel brought a blood sacrifice. Cain’s sacrifice was from the earth and from his own efforts.