Faith, Repentance, and the Treasure of Obedience

When we were out and about, a man in his senior years thought my husband looked familiar and they struck up a conversation about the state of young Black males. He thinks they desperately need to be schooled and that the knowledge he’s offering is exactly what they need to hear. We thought surely he might unveil a truth from God’s Word that most of us had missed or misunderstood—that it would be a razor-sharp revelation, opening the minds of young men and directing their hearts towards Jesus. That’s what we thought, but soon changed our minds. As the conversation deepened, more militant layers of his philosophy were exposed. When stacked against the truth of God’s Word, the information he presented as enlightenment was not enlightening at all. It was a vain philosophy, one among millions that steer people away from obedience and repentance—the true treasures of a believer’s walk.

The Evidence that Pleases God

Hebrews 11:4 (KJV) tells us, “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts.” What was this evidence that Abel presented?

After the fall of Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:7 shows God clothing them with animal skins. This was the first symbolic act of atonement, for the blood of those animals had to be shed to cover sin and shame. This first lesson in sacrifice was passed down, so both Cain and Abel understood the significance of offering to God through the shedding of blood. Yet Cain chose to give less than what was required, while Abel offered his best, demonstrating faith that pleased God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) declares, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Abel’s act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who shed His blood so that our sins could be covered once and for all. In this way, the evidence of faith that pleases God has always been about honoring Him with a heart fully surrendered, trusting His ways above our own.

Jesus Christ is the Way

We don’t have to offer animal sacrifices anymore—Jesus already paid it all. Romans 3:22 (NIV) says, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” God counted Abraham righteous because of his faith, and Abel’s offering reflected that same kind of faith that pleased God. You and I may not face the same trials or live under the same conditions they did, but we have something greater—our Savior, who redeemed us from the curse of sin and death. And because of His blood that was shed on the cross for the remission of our sins, when we believe in Him, we too are made righteous!

The Pattern of Perfection

There is nothing we can offer that is truly excellent apart from first seeing it in Jesus Christ. He is the pattern of perfection, the ultimate measure of what is good and pleasing in God’s sight. One of the hallmarks of a true Christian is that we will always point to Jesus as the Way, never straying from His Gospel. Our standing before God is not based on our own righteousness, for without him we have none. It is because of God’s grace that through Christ, we are clothed in righteousness, and our hearts are prepared to worship, praise, and glorify our Heavenly Father.

Repentance: The Hallmark of a True Believer

That conversation on the street reminded us that not everything dressed up as wisdom is from God. Some may sound convincing, and even enlightening, but if it steers hearts away from obedience, faith, and repentance, it ultimately leads nowhere. True evidence of a believer’s life is not in clever words or philosophies. And true wisdom—the kind that pleases Him—always points to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Like Abel, a heart surrendered in faith, offering its best to God, reflects the righteousness that comes from Him alone. The mark of a true believer is not in clever arguments, opinions, or self-made philosophies—it is in a life that humbly turns to God, embraces repentance, and follows Christ with unwavering faith. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

“What Makes A Believer Real?”, written for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.