Living the redeemed life
"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" Hebrews 11:4
EVEN though he was dead, yet, he speaks... is the description of the writer of the book of Hebrews regarding the life and legacy of Abel. What is the kind of message that Abel still speaks about even after he died?
It is not about his achievements or daring ventures, it is about his life of faith and redemption. If redemption is God's second chance to man to experience God's best in spite of man's sinfulness, what kind of life is a redeemed life? How are you living your second life? Abel was labeled by the bible as a man who lived by faith! It was a life of faith that characterized his redeemed life.
God preferred his offering compared to his brother, Cain, who later murdered Abel out of the rage and jealousy in his heart. Remember, both of them offered the best of their trade. Why then did God choose Abel's offering over Cain’s? Abel gave his offering in faith... Cain’s offering was based on performance and was, in no way, related to faith in God.
The violent death of Abel became the first murder recorded in the bible. What is most mysteriously remarkable is that, though Abel is dead, he still speaks to many. His redemption, after the fall of Adam and Eve, was his chance to get right with God. How? God declared him redeemed and righteous through faith. It is not about perfection but his devotion to believing in God as he offered his best by faith. A redeemed life is a life of faith... meaning, a life that lives to give the best.
Remember, faith is giving the best, perfectionism is being the best. God honors faith... not perfection, for no one is perfect. In fact, redemption is enjoyed when there is an utter admission of being lost and messy! It is not only a life that gives its best; it gives its best by faith in God! The object of all this offering what is best is God. It is given not as payment but as an act of worship! Abel lived out his redemption by living a life of faith in God! He paid a high price for this... with his life.
His murderer though paid a painfully higher price for living a life without faith... ever-fearful and no matter how hard he tried, he remained fruitless and lonely. Murdering someone who lives a life of faith is a painful sight and may be a perpetually painful memory for the love ones... yet death becomes rest, and those who respond to God in faith in times of injustice find themselves wrapped by Abbas embrace and each day, though painful, becomes an intimate opportunity to live by faith. As for Cain, his long life became his punishment... his existence became his torture.
After reading this story of Abel, I
cannot help but remember a friend, Architect John Ritz Fortuna, who, two years ago, on June 20, 2015, was murdered by a Cain.
Yesterday, family and friends gathered at the new sanctuary of Davao Chinese Baptist Church for a simple memorial service for John Ritz. We did not gather to pray for his soul... we gathered to listen to God using the memory of a man of faith and redemption to refresh our dilapidated hope-drained souls to live out our redemption by faith just like Abel and John. The simple service gave us hope again, helped us relate again, made us live again.
As for the Cain who murdered John Ritz, well, his long, lonely, fearful life is his punishment. Sometimes, God's justice does not come the way we expect. God's justice, without a doubt, will have it His way. As they say, God allows the culprit to one day drink their own poison... only, this time, the spoon is seven times larger.
Early morning of June 20, 2017, I visited forest lake cemetery where my friend is buried. I am reminded of his epitaph which says... REDEEMED. Thanks for reading, I always write from my heart.