The Way of Cain

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Gen 4:7a . . If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

Every so often I encounter a Christian who's been led to believe that
because they're accounted righteous via their trust in Christ's death and
resurrection, that they're not required to be righteous in their conduct. That
is a calamitous error.

● John 14:21 . .Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one
who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will
love him and show myself to him.

● John 14:23 . . If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father
will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

● John 15:10 . . If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love;
just as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love.

When Christians depend solely upon their trust in Christ's death and
resurrection for their association with God, they are no different than Cain
depending solely upon his offering to associate with God.

● 1John 1:5-6 . .This is the message we have heard from him and declare to
you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have
fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the
truth.
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[justbyfaith]

Sole trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the only salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Serving and loving Christ is merely a byproduct for those who truly believe and have been forgiven. Those who have been forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:36-50).

Thing is, the basis for our forgiveness cannot be our performance or our works. If it is, then we are in a works mentality wherein we cannot find acceptance with the Lord except through being a slave of the Lord.

We are identified in Romans 6 as slaves of righteousness; but you need to understand that in that scripture Paul is speaking in human terms because of the weakness of our flesh. The reality is that we are not slaves but sons.

This means that the basis for our obedience is not obligation but a loving relationship.

 

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Sole trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the only
salvation

Christ's death and resurrection are the sole means of escape from the sum
of all fears; yes.

However, Gen 4:1-7, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:10, and 1John 1:5-6
are not about the sum of all fears. No, they're about fellowship, viz: associating
with God.
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[justbyfaith]

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Christ's death and resurrection are the sole means of escape from the sum
of all fears; yes.

However, Gen 4:1-7, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:10, and 1John 1:5-6
are not about the sum of all fears. No, they're about fellowship, viz: associating
with God.
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When you put it that way, I don't disagree with you.

 

[Taken]

The Way of Cain <---> OP

Both Cain and Abel presented an OFFERING.

An OFFERING unto thee Lord God, ALWAYS has to do with SIN (regardless of what else it may be called; ie a Transgression, a Trespass, a Wrong doing, etc.)

Cain and Abel's OFFERING was significant, in that:
1) It was Clear they were of the Same ERA,
2) Same age
3) Same household
4) Same knowledge

The Highlight was the Introduction of Knowledge to mankind of WHAT specific God would Require as an ACCEPTABLE OFFERING, FROM man, AND a foreshadow of WHAT God would Provide for mankinds OFFERING, ONCE and For All.

The OFFERING <---> OF BLOOD.

Why Blood?

The LIFE of a Natural Man IS BLOOD.

What does A Natural Man Possess that is specific to the Individual that is MORE Valuable, then to OFFER his OWN BLOOD LIFE unto the Lord God?

The Difference between Cain's "Offering" and Abel's "Offering" is:

Abel's Offering, Was FOR Sin.

Cain's Offering, Was NOT an Offering, but rather, something we learned LATER, was introduced, AS A thing for the man to Consume (food/drink from the field) IN A "REMEMBRANCE" for the Lords offering of HIS BLOOD.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

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● Heb 11:4 . . By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of
his gifts

● Heb 13:15 . . By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

The Greek word for "sacrifice" is the same in both those passages. It's the
same word in the passage below too.

● Rom 12:1 . . I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.

That ambiguity has to make us take a step back and figure out just what
kind of offerings Cain and Abel were supposed to bring that day-- bloody or
non bloody / for their sins or not for their sins / burnt offerings or non burnt
offerings?
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[justbyfaith]

The only offering that brings justification would have to be an offering of blood...

Rom 5:9, Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom 3:25, Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

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● Gen 4:7a . . If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;

This is the very first instance in the Bible of the word "sin". The Hebrew word
is chatta'ah (khat-taw-aw') and/or chatta'th (khat-tawth') which are
ambiguous words that technically mean an offense; as in repeat offender. In
other words; not just an occasional slip-up, but a life style; viz: a habit.

Cain was very close to stiffening his resolve (i.e. hardening his heart) to the
point where he would become permanently estranged from God, and
severed from His good graces.

● Gen 4:7b . . it desires to have you, but you must master it.

This is the first mention of self control in the Bible; and the requirement is
oft repeated; e.g.

● Col 3:5-8 . . Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is
idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in
these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all
such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from
your lips.

● Rom 8:13 . . For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by
the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

The death spoken of in that verse isn't the sum of all fears depicted at Rev
20:11-15. It's estrangement from God, and severance from His good graces.
(cf. John 15:1-6 where Jesus talks about yard debris.)
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[justbyfaith]

The death spoken of in that verse isn't the sum of all fears depicted at Rev
20:11-15. It's estrangement from God, and severance from His good graces.

The sum of all fears will be the result if no restoration occurs.

 

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● Gen 4:4 . . Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock

The practice of dedicating firstlings was later incorporated into the covenant
that Moses' people agreed upon with God at Mt. Sinai.

● Ex 13:1-2 . .The Lord said to Moses: Consecrate to me every firstborn
male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me,
whether man or animal.

According to that language; Abel had to offer not one, but all of his flock's
firstlings.

The thing to note is that firstling offerings per God's instructions are not, nor
have they ever been, sacrifices for sin. Plus, their bodies aren't destroyed
like burnt offerings; in point of fact, the covenant requires them to be eaten
as food. (Deut 15:19-23)

At the same time of year when firstlings are dedicated to God, the ground's
firstfruits are offered too (Neh 10:34-37). These are also eaten rather than
destroyed by fire. Incidentally: there is more said about firstfruits in the Old
Testament than there is about firstlings.
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There are Christians today whose manner of life is similar to Cain's. They're
religious enough to come to church on Sunday, and maybe even sing in the
choir and attend Sunday school; while the rest of the time do as they please
indifferent to how God might feel about their conduct. They, like Cain, are
ruled by their base nature rather than make some effort to control it; and if
you say anything to them about their attitude; you'll just get the cold shoulder
because they want to be accepted just as they are.

● Gen 4:5 . . So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

In other words; instead of heart-broken by the rejection, Cain was
infuriated. Well; no surprise there. That's how Cainish people react when
their friendship is refused on account of their conduct is unbecoming.
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[dorian37grey]

the Cain and Abel offering ; this was the second time this was done ; not the first
Adam had sinned ; and was naked.
he tried to cover his ( sin) nakedness with fig leaves ( plants)
But God said no ( sin) nakedness would require a payment ( blood) and thus animal skins ( were use as a sign of what would be required )
Cain offered plants ( like fig leaves ; it wouldn't work )
Abel offered animals ( blood)
* Cain got it wrong ; but he could have learned the lesson right there
the killing of Abel had other motives