“3. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering unto the LORD. 4. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”
Why didn’t God accept Cain’s offering? We tend to look at man’s way and say, “At least he tried.” One thing we must realize is that we cannot serve God the way we choose too. John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” So what exactly is the truth? John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Knowing the truth can be found only in Jesus Christ. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” So why did God not accept Cain’s offering? Its because he missed the importance of the blood sacrifice. Cain brought to God the work of his own hands. Notice what Genesis 3:23 says about Adam and Eve when they were removed from the Garden of Eden; “Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” Tilling of the land was now done by the hands of man. Cain was bringing to God his own work “the fruit of the ground.” Abel was accepted of God because he brought the firstlings of his flock. As you continue reading the Bible you will see that the sacrifice was an innocent lamb without spot and without blemish, which is a picture of Jesus Christ. Look at what Peter says about Jesus in I Peter 1:19 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” God loved Cain, but Cain’s work was not good enough for his salvation. Even though Cain failed, God gave him another opportunity to make it right. Cain was so angry that he killed his brother Abel. It’s sad that the first human being ever born was a murderer and is still suffering in hell today, because he rejected the blood sacrifice. It does not matter what kind of person you are, it doesn’t matter what church you go to, or how nice you are, if you have never accepted the blood sacrifice for your sins. Romans 3:10 still says “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:” We are all sinners, but when Jesus Christ died on the cross He made the way for all to be saved! Don’t leave this word without believing and confessing that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day. You will end up just like Cain. Separated for all eternity! You might say, “Well, I never killed anyone like Cain did.” But what does the Bible say? Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Whether a murderer or a liar there will still be eternal punishment. Abel was accepted because of the blood sacrifice? Have you ever been saved? Have you ever trusted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If your alive and breathing, God is still giving you an opportunity just as He did for Cain! Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” When you call upon Him, you are simply repenting of your sin and believing in your heart on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Make that decision today, before its to late!
Memory Verse Week 6/8/20
John 8:32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
