Why was Abel's sacrifice more excellent than Cain's? It was because Abel obeyed God in bringing a blood sacrifice of the first fruits of his lambs. This is what God required.
Cain brought what was convenient. The first fruits of his produce that he grew in his garden.
How often do we do the same thing? Blood sacrifice is not required of us today because Jesus offered Himself as the perfect Lamb of God and shed His blood on our behalf. So what am I speaking of?
Well, how many people today offer to God what He has not asked for and neglect to give Him what He has asked for? I think of the many churches today that are condoning sinful behavior that has been specifically condemned in Scripture.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-21, 23-32 NKJV)
Cain killed Abel for his obedience to God. Today all over the world we see religious people killing Christians for their obedience to God. They have offered God something that He did not ask for and they are killing those who have obeyed God's Word.
We are seeing others with life styles mentioned in this passage of Scripture, who claim to be Christians, have their own churches and pastors, yet they are offering God things He never commanded and are doing the things that God hates as listed here. Yet they are going around seeking to ruin the livelyhoods and repuations of those who are seeking to obey God.
Lamentations is right. There is nothing new under the sun.
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