Why did God accept Abel's offering?
God accepted Abel's offering because Abel believed and obeyed God's instruction to bring a blood sacrifice. Hebrews 11 says by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, his faith showing he did what God said. Cain rationalized, deceived himself, and refused the blood, so God rejected him.
Les explains that the difference was faith and obedience, not personality. Cain might have been a nicer guy than Abel, but Cain’s problem was that he did not believe what God said. God had said, ‘Bring Me a blood sacrifice, and I’ll accept you.’ Cain rationalized—self-deception—and thought God would accept him without the blood, but God did not. Abel, on the other hand, did what God said to do. Hebrews 11 says by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, his faith showing he was doing what God said. Abel was accepted, and Cain was rejected. Les notes people still do the same today; the human race has not changed one iota.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
More Questions
Why was Abel accepted but Cain rejected?
Abel was accepted because by faith he did what God said, while Cain was rejected because he rationalized and deceived himself into thinking God would accept him without the blood.
What did Abel do by faith according to Hebrews 11:4?
By faith Abel offered God a more excellent sacrifice, and by that offering he obtained witness that he was righteous—so his faith was faith plus an action, not faith alone.
Was Abel's faith alone, or was it faith plus something?
Abel's faith was not faith alone but faith plus, because he did something — he offered the sacrifice.
Was Abel saved by faith alone or by faith plus what he did?
Abel's faith was not faith alone: by faith he offered God a more excellent sacrifice, and by that offering he obtained witness that he was righteous, so his faith was faith plus an action.