Heart Talk For Today

Saturday - April 22, 2000

Cain's Sacrifice

"And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 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. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." Genesis 4:3-5.
Those who have heard the story of Cain and Abel, know how that God accepted one sacrifice, and not the other. How many, though, have assumed that Cain did not offer a sacrifice? It is too easy to say, "Well, he didn't offer anything that was much of a sacrifice." Or "His heart wasn't right." Some may say that God would have accepted it if Cain had been sincere, and if it had been a "real" sacrifice.
It must be pointed out that Cain did make a sacrifice. It was one in which he had put much effort. Only one thing was wrong with his sacrifice: it wasn't the one God wanted. No matter how much it meant to Cain, it meant nothing to God. His effort meant something to God, but God wanted more; He wanted a particular kind of sacrifice. In the end, it was not the lack of a sacrifice that caused Cain to fall, but it was a lack of obedience to God's wishes.
How many of us today make the same sort of sacrifice? How many of us assume, that if we just make a sacrifice to God, He will accept it and bless us for it? If we can say, "I am doing this for God, then we "score points" somehow. We can be totally sincere about the sacrifice, but if it is not what God wants, we will be in mortal danger.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in that name have cast out devils? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23.
Here we see and awful trap. There will be people on the Judgment Day who think their good works and their sacrifices guarantee them a place in heaven. They will find differently. I pray it doesn't happen to any of us.
Too many think that God on His throne will be some sort of Santa Clause asking, "Have you been a good little boy or girl?" In truth, He will be as Father, asking, "Did you do what I told you to?" Let us earnestly seek God in our lives so that we can make a sacrifice, which is more than just the sacrifice of Cain. Let it be the obedient sacrifice of Abel. [ Selected ]

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