Posted on 11/08/2023 2:34:05 AM PST by metmom
"Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. And Abel . . . brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard" (Gen. 4:3-5). True discipleship is characterized by obedience to God’s Word.
In John 8:31 Jesus issued an important statement to a group of people who were showing an interest in Him: "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine." Sadly, they rejected His words, proving themselves to be less than true disciples. Jesus went on to explain why: "He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God" (v. 47). They listened but didn't really hear. They were interested but not truly committed. They were hearers of the Word but not doers (James 1:22).
In contrast, Abel did what God told him to do. He was, in effect, the first disciple. He was probably a better person than Cain—more friendly, moral, and dependable—but that's not why God accepted his sacrifice and rejected Cain's. Abel trusted God, and his faith was counted as righteousness. Like Abraham, whose faith was evidenced by his willingness to obey God and sacrifice his son Isaac (James 2:21-22), Abel's faith was evidenced in his obedient offering. He didn't rely on his own goodness but acknowledged his sin and made the prescribed sacrifice.
Perhaps God indicated His acceptance of Abel's sacrifice by consuming it with fire, as He did on other occasions in Scripture (Judg. 6:21; 1 Kings 18:38). But whatever means He used, God made his pleasure known to Abel.
Abel's brief life conveys a simple three-point message: we must come to God by faith; we must receive and obey God's Word; and sin brings serious consequences. If you hear and heed that message, you'll walk the path of true discipleship and be assured of God's pleasure.
Suggestions for Prayer
Make it your goal to please the Lord in everything you do today.
Seek His wisdom and grace to do so faithfully.
For Further Study
Read these verses, noting what they say about pleasing God: 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:6-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 11:6; and Hebrews 13:15-16, 20-21.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Amen!
And, thank you!
Good reading right there! Thank you for that blessing.
Abel’s brief life conveys a simple three-point message: we must come to God by faith; we must receive and obey God’s Word; and sin brings serious consequences.
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Truth. Simple and concise. Thank you!
This is a Protestant Caucus/Devotional thread.
Please honor the caucus/devotional designations.
I am a Protestant - I am interested. What was it in that piece which offended you? I certainly meant no slight - simply taking apart the first example of worship in the Bible and understanding what it means for the church today - and the the reasons we now conduct our worship as a body and not as individuals only.
Then why are you posting on Catholic caucus threads?
The consumption of any blood is strictly forbidden. And the blood of the sacrifice is not to be consumed. It is to be poured out for atonement, but NEVER consumed.
“The blood is never consumed?” Unless you are catholic, in which case is is Mandatory to consume the blood of Christ. I still do not see any theological problem with that post - but please, help to see the issue which concerns you. This was not intended to be controversial.
Thanks!
PM
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