Genesis 4:1-2
In verse 1 and two Adam and Eve have a son named Cain, then they have a son named Able. Able keeps sheep and Cain is a farmer.
verse 3: Eventually they both bring an offering to God.
They must have seen their parents bring an offering to God many times as they grew up. They knew what to bring and how to bring it. Let’s see if they followed their parent’s example.
Here’s what verse 3 tells us about Cain’s offering:
3) “...Cain brought of the fruit of the ground.” (Whatever happened to be left around)
Now compare this to what Able brought:
4) “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.” (The cream of the cream)
So Able brought the best he had and Cain brought whatever was handy.
And how did God respond?
4-5) “And the LORD had respect unto (looked at) Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect (did not look at).
God was pleased with Able’s blood sacrifice. This probably started in the Garden of Eden when God “made coats” for Adam and Eve. A fig leaf just does not get the job done, and neither does “of the fruit of the ground”. It takes Faith, Obedience and Blood. From the beginning to the end of time. More on this later.
What happens next?
5) “Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”
What? Cain is the one who messed up. God is the one who should be angry, but it doesn’t happen like that. Cain got angry and God reached out to him and tried to get him back on track.
6-7) “And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?”
See how God is reaching out to him in love? He just wants him to do what’s right. That is what He wants for all of us. Then comes the warning:
“and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door...”
It still works this way. If we disregard God’s will and His Word and go our own way-- sin is waiting for us at that door. We see the sad choice Cain made.
8) “...it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
Thank God for providing another door. We don’t have to choose the door of sin like Cain, we can choose the door of salvation. Jesus said “I am the door” He also said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus was obedient unto death. He provided the blood needed for our “Faith Obedience and Blood.” It takes us having faith to obey the word of God unto Salvation. Jesus said (John 3:3) you must be “born again” of water and of the Spirit or you can not see the kingdom of God. That’s where the Blood is applied to our life. In John 3:5 Jesus repeats the need for being born again of water, which is baptism -- being dunked in the Name of Jesus-- and born of the Spirit, which is receiving the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues. It takes Faith and Obedience to fulfill these steps and when you do you are covered by the Blood of Jesus. FOB-- Faith, Obedience, and Blood. Withuot it you have no freight on board.
Leave out any part of this plan and you leave out heaven.
Cain did not have faith to bring the required offering, he did not obey, and he had no blood in his sacrifice. God gave him another chance, but he did not take it. He chose the door of sin.
Don’t follow his example.
We have a choice. I can choose for me and you can choose for you. What will you choose?
The door of Sin and death, or the door of salvation and life?
Christ came to provide us with that choice. Obedience is not a bad thing. It does not drag you down, it lifts you up. Cain could have chosen to obey. We can choose to obey God’s word and be born again of water and the Spirit and have Eternal life. (Acts 2:38)
The choice is yours.
Choose LIFE.
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