Most everyone is familiar with the story of Cain and Abel. Most everyone is familiar with the crucifixion of Jesus. Many people do not realize, according to scripture, the shed blood of Abel and the shed blood of Jesus have voices that cry out. If you consider yourself a person of faith or a person who follows God, you are probably relating to God by either the blood of Jesus or the blood of Abel.
A Little Background
In the story of Cain and Abel, you know Cain killed his brother Abel due to jealousy. God spoke to Cain twice. First, warning him to get his act together. In the second encounter, God asks Cain for the where about of his brother, to which Cain responds with one of the most famous lines from scripture, "Am I my brother's keeper." God then informs Cain, "Your brother Abel's blood cries out..." and as a result, Cain lives the rest of his life under a curse.
Approximately 3000 years later, on a hill just outside Jerusalem, a man named Yeshua was crucified. This man's blood was shed by hate and jealousy, same as of Abel's. According to the book of Hebrews, the blood of Yeshua also has a voice, a voice which speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
What's it all about?
Abel's blood cries out, Jesus' blood speaks... what's it all about? What's all this talking blood saying, and what does any of it have to do with me?
Cain killed Abel after God accepted Abel's offering and rejected Cain's. Abel offered a blood sacrifice, signifying he understood the wages of sin equals death. Cain offered the yield of his labors, grain or some produce from the field. God accepted Abel's offering as it revealed Abel's heart of contrition. Cain's offering was rejected for it was work of his flesh. In essence, Cain was asking God to accept him based on his works while Abel was acknowledging his need for forgiveness.
God, warned Cain, in essence saying, "Abel offered a suitable sacrifice, Abel is good, be like Abel." I believe Cain heard, "Abel is the standard to which you are measured." Cain attempted to eliminate the standard. In a jealous fit of rage, Cain killed his brother, rather than submitting to God. Cain failed to realize his relationship with God was personal. Abel's blood was shed so Cain's works would be acceptable to God.
Jesus died because God knows the works of man are inadequate. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Whose blood are you listening to?
So, the big question is: Whose blood are you listening to? If you are under the blood of Abel, you are attempting to reach God by your own merit. This is an impossible and frustrating endeavor! Mother Teresa, the very epitome of service to God, wrote letters to her confidants expressing the spiritual emptiness she experienced. Mother Teresa attempted to reach God by dedicating her life to good works, never trusting in the finished work of Christ. By her own admission, the more she served, the more she felt distant from God, the exact opposite of what she was trying to accomplish.
If you are under the blood of Christ - you recognize you have no merit, no authorization to approach God except the authorization given you by Christ.
Standing at the Crossroads
Just like Robert Johnson, who met Satan at the Crossroads. Many people come to the Crossroads and must choose a path to God. One path is paved by the blood of Christ and leads to salvation, the other, paved by the blood of Abel, leading to hell as sure as signing a contract with the devil.
It has been said, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." I will go one step further and say the road to hell is paved with good works. If you are attempting to be good enough on your own merit, you will fail.
Without faith it is impossible to please God
All the good works, acts of kindness and self sacrifice in the world will not help your soul, unless these things are the result of faith in Christ. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
If you follow the blood of Abel, you are marked with the curse of Cain. If you follow the blood of Christ, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Abel's blood was shed to hide sin in good works, Christ's blood was shed to cleanse sin. Be sure your sins are cleansed and your good works count.
Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!
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