In Genesis 4, Cain and Abel both brought sacrifices to God. Abel brought an animal sacrifice while Cain brought an offering of produce he had harvested from the field. Cain’s fruit represented the things of the earth which perish with the using (see Colossians 2:22). The animal sacrifice of Abel represented the gift of life which is given from heaven. God accepted the sacrifice of Abel but refused the offering of Cain. However, God did give Cain some advice along with a warning.

Genesis 4:7
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." (NKJ)

Anyone in a position of authority should learn from the example God has set. In this passage we see that God is a believer in due process. First, He told Cain that what he did was unacceptable, and then He warned him that consequences would follow for continued disobedience.

The Apostle Paul describes the fleshly fruit of the earth in his letter to the Galatian believers.

Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Cain’s heart was full of envy, strife, and murder. His offering was rejected, and his response was to kill his brother. Abel’s sacrifice was accepted because his animal sacrifice was an acceptable picture of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make upon the cross of Calvary.

Today, many Christians think that God will be satisfied with an offering of Church attendance and 10% of their income, but God wants much more than that. We today are called upon to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God.

Romans 12:1-2
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.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)

As we experience spiritual union with Jesus Christ in His death, our bodies become a living sacrifice. Our responsibility is to offer that sacrifice to God so that God can fill our hearts with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In this way, we become an offering which is holy and acceptable unto God.

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)

Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com

Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/