Two men both worshiping God. Abel took a lamb from his flock, and Cain took the labors of his hands. The one didn't do anything but watched his sheep, the other labored hard to cultivate his fields, and harvest his crops, surely The Lord would honor both of these offerings. They were both doing Holy things in their sight, but when they offered their sacrifices up to God, only one was consumed by fire from heaven, Abel's.
Religious activity, both good things, but God only honored one, the blood sacrifice. Cain was so offended that God honored Abel's sacrifice that he (Cain) killed his brother. The first murder committed on earth was because of Religion. One worshiped The Lord correctly, the other incorrectly, up to that point they got along, one was deceived. He must have known the proper offering to make to The Lord, but he (Cain) chose to do it his way. Why? Two things happened to Cain, that can happen just as easy to us.
I drive a taxi on Friday, Saturday, and Monday night, many of my clientele are drunk. I have consumed my fair share in my life time, but now I don't drink. One of the other drivers is quite critical about the drunks that he has to haul around. Christian beware! Because I don't drink, and The Lord delivered me, my sobriety has nothing to do with my willpower, or ability to just say no. I tried to do that and it didn't work. One morning I woke up and all I wanted was a pint of vodka, and some orange pop. I couldn't say no. I had heard that Jesus died on the cross for my sanctification, and I needed some help. I started to pray, "Oh God help me!" That's all I said, hundreds of times over. If I would have found a way to stay sober on my own, the same thing that happened to Cain would have happened to me. When a drunk person would get into my cab, the first thought that would come into my mind would be. "Why don't you quit drinking, I did!!!" It's called self-righteousness. If I find a way to deal with sin other then The Cross of Christ, it automatically becomes works, and works automatically turn into self-righteousness. The drunk needs to hear Jesus saves, and Jesus sanctifies. Some of the drunks are saved, and love The Lord, but caught in a trap, and don't know how to get out. Why do we (Christians) so often shoot our wounded?
to be continued
Religious activity, both good things, but God only honored one, the blood sacrifice. Cain was so offended that God honored Abel's sacrifice that he (Cain) killed his brother. The first murder committed on earth was because of Religion. One worshiped The Lord correctly, the other incorrectly, up to that point they got along, one was deceived. He must have known the proper offering to make to The Lord, but he (Cain) chose to do it his way. Why? Two things happened to Cain, that can happen just as easy to us.
I drive a taxi on Friday, Saturday, and Monday night, many of my clientele are drunk. I have consumed my fair share in my life time, but now I don't drink. One of the other drivers is quite critical about the drunks that he has to haul around. Christian beware! Because I don't drink, and The Lord delivered me, my sobriety has nothing to do with my willpower, or ability to just say no. I tried to do that and it didn't work. One morning I woke up and all I wanted was a pint of vodka, and some orange pop. I couldn't say no. I had heard that Jesus died on the cross for my sanctification, and I needed some help. I started to pray, "Oh God help me!" That's all I said, hundreds of times over. If I would have found a way to stay sober on my own, the same thing that happened to Cain would have happened to me. When a drunk person would get into my cab, the first thought that would come into my mind would be. "Why don't you quit drinking, I did!!!" It's called self-righteousness. If I find a way to deal with sin other then The Cross of Christ, it automatically becomes works, and works automatically turn into self-righteousness. The drunk needs to hear Jesus saves, and Jesus sanctifies. Some of the drunks are saved, and love The Lord, but caught in a trap, and don't know how to get out. Why do we (Christians) so often shoot our wounded?
to be continued
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