Genesis 4:1-7
Poor guy, takes the the fruits of his hard labour that he's worked hard for in all weathers and offers it to his God. What does he get for his trouble? REJECT.
His little brother comes along and offers the fruits of his labour and promptly gets a, 'Ooh thank you,' from God. So where did Cain go wrong? Some have said that Cain offered the wrong thing, there was no blood involved, he should have bartered or purchased a lamb. I'm unconvinced, so far as we know God had not at that stage given His guidance on sacrifices, and even when he did there was a vegetarian option of wine, grain and incense as acceptable offerings.
No I think the clue is in verse 7, If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:7 NKJV. It's more about him than his sacrifice. Jesus expands on this - Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 NKJV
Ah but this is all Old Testament stuff, we don't do sacrifices anymore, not applicable. Well true, but substitute the word sacrifice for the words praise and worship. How gut wrenching is that? God says in response to our love to our worship and adoration, 'forget it, not interested'.
'But God I've given loads of dosh to church and Christian charities, I sung hymns as loud as I can with my hands waving in the air and shouted 'Amen' and 'Hallelujah'all through the Pastor's sermon'.
'So?'
If you've got a bad attitude, with sin at your door, it wants to eat you. Rule over it! John is very blunt and to the point on this subject: If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? I John 4:20 NKJV But that's only one problem, there are dozens of other issues in our lives that will cause just as much displeasure with God, judgemental, goss and dirt dishing, lust, pride are a few. If we have any of these things in our lives, and who hasn't, God's telling you, 'Deal with this right now, forget praising me, not interested - deal with it and deal with it now!'
OK OK but easier said than done God, it's part of me, part of my make up, how can I deal with it? “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17 NKJV.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you sort it. Then praise God when He does and your praise will be like a sweet insence when you do.
Poor guy, takes the the fruits of his hard labour that he's worked hard for in all weathers and offers it to his God. What does he get for his trouble? REJECT.
His little brother comes along and offers the fruits of his labour and promptly gets a, 'Ooh thank you,' from God. So where did Cain go wrong? Some have said that Cain offered the wrong thing, there was no blood involved, he should have bartered or purchased a lamb. I'm unconvinced, so far as we know God had not at that stage given His guidance on sacrifices, and even when he did there was a vegetarian option of wine, grain and incense as acceptable offerings.
No I think the clue is in verse 7, If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:7 NKJV. It's more about him than his sacrifice. Jesus expands on this - Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 NKJV
Ah but this is all Old Testament stuff, we don't do sacrifices anymore, not applicable. Well true, but substitute the word sacrifice for the words praise and worship. How gut wrenching is that? God says in response to our love to our worship and adoration, 'forget it, not interested'.
'But God I've given loads of dosh to church and Christian charities, I sung hymns as loud as I can with my hands waving in the air and shouted 'Amen' and 'Hallelujah'all through the Pastor's sermon'.
'So?'
If you've got a bad attitude, with sin at your door, it wants to eat you. Rule over it! John is very blunt and to the point on this subject: If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? I John 4:20 NKJV But that's only one problem, there are dozens of other issues in our lives that will cause just as much displeasure with God, judgemental, goss and dirt dishing, lust, pride are a few. If we have any of these things in our lives, and who hasn't, God's telling you, 'Deal with this right now, forget praising me, not interested - deal with it and deal with it now!'
OK OK but easier said than done God, it's part of me, part of my make up, how can I deal with it? “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17 NKJV.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you sort it. Then praise God when He does and your praise will be like a sweet insence when you do.