Abel is our case study. The people in the days of old earned a good report. They distinguished themselves. The act of faith is what distinguished them and set them above the crowd. By faith, you will be distinguished and set above the crowd. By faith Abel distinguished himself and obtained a good report. Everything we do in the kingdom of God has to be by faith, and faith responds to God’s revelation (Romans 10:17).

So, what revelation did Abel respond to? After Adam/Eve sinned, God shed blood by killing a lamb and clothing them with the skin (Genesis 3:21). God revealed to them that the acceptable offering is blood from the slain lamb. Acting on that revelation by faith, Abel’s sacrifice was more excellent than Cain’s and it was acceptable to God since it was done by faith in response to Divine revelation. But what does this represent for us? This represents the Finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God slain to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Cain’s offering represented self-effort and the works of his own hands, and it was not accepted. Therefore, we are qualified by the Finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ (what He did on the Cross and His resurrection) and not by our own efforts. Take your stand and establish yourself on the Finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and you will produce a good report.

This week, as you rest on the fact that Christ has paid for everything, and in every area of your life, you take steps of faith in response to that, you will distinguish yourself and obtain a good report!