March 1932
T h e K i n g ’ s
115
B u s i n e s s
pilgrim. The Jews worshiped in the tabernacle and later, when the land was possessed, they worshiped God in the temple. Jerusalem was the place of worship under the law. Christians may worship God anywhere, but most true be lievers assemble themselves together for worship in churches. There was also the way to worship. This was revealed to them by God, for we read in Hebrews 11:4 that “by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” ; and we know that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” At the appointed time, Cain and Abel came to the ap pointed place. But how different was their worship! Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. Abel brought a firstling of the flock and the fattest thereof. D ifferent e see here the difference between true worship and false worship. Christianity is not one of the many re ligions. It is the only supernatural redemptive 'revelation. Abel worshiped in faith; Cain worshiped in unbelief. Abel came God’s way; Cain came his own way. Jude called this disobedience “the way of Cain.” Men say, “It makes no difference as to what way you take, just go along the way that you sincerely think is right, and you will be ac ceptable to God.” Let God be found true and every man a liar. There is only one way to the heart of God, that is, by faith in Jesus Christ, the only Saviour from the guilt of sin. Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Our Lord also said that they that climb up some other way are thieves and robbers. Religion’s ways are the ways of thieves and robbers. The Way is Christ. We notice also that God’s way is the way of blood, while man’s is a bloodless way. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” God sent forth Christ to be the propitiation through faith in His blood. Humans are talking a lot about ‘-red-blooded” men. Men would have blood in their veins and abounding vim in their arteries. There is nothing offensive to the natural man in relating blood and patriotism. Men praise heroes who give their blood for the country they love. However, at the mention of blood in the spiritual realm, certain people are offended. They will have nothing to do with what they call “a slaughterhouse religion.” But there is salvation only in the blood of Christ. “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.” It is, therefore, foolish to reli gionists, but it is to the Christian the wisdom of God and the power of God. Religion would do away with blood, but there is salvation in nothing but the blood of Jesus. We see also the contrast between Israel and Egypt. The blood was on every household of Israei. The angel of death passed over. But there was no blood on the houses of the Egyptians, and the death angel destroyed the first born in each home. The difference between the sinner and saint is that the saint is under the blood, while the sinner is under condemnation. The sacrifice of Cain looks beautiful to man. Are not flowers more beautiful than a slain beast? Is not golden wheat more attractive than the crimson sacrifice ? How ever, that which is beautiful to man is repulsive to God, and that which is beautiful to God is repulsive to man. Re ligion may be aesthetic, but only Christianity saves. It is not a question as to the worthiness of the offerer, but of faith and the offering. The right sacrifice without faith,'or faith without the right sacrifice, would have failed. The true Sacrifice and saving faith are necessary. Cain represents the proud religious man. He is the
father of the Pharisees and scribes whom Christ con demned. Religion was on their lips, but Christ was not in their hearts. Abel is a father of true believers. Like the publican, he would say, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” We have in this incident the beginning of two streams, one stream leading to heaven and the other stream leading to hell. F ire It is written that the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering, but unto Cain and his offering He had not respect. God probably answered by fire. He did so on the top of Mount Carmel when Elijah prayed unto Him. At Pentecost, God answered by fire; tongues of flame appeared; on each one in the house of prayer, and the fire spread three thousand men were saved in one day! God answers by fire now. Persons consecrated to God are men of fire; and women of flame, “fervent in spirit.” The difference between a spiritual Christian and a carnal Christian is fire. Divine fire consumes the dross and enables one to speak in power. The Baptizer said, “He that cometh after me . . . shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Are you being so baptized daily ? W rath Cain was very wroth (v. 5) ; anger filled him. Abel must have been full of peace, for “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Being unjustified, Cain was consumed with wrath, envy, jealousy. This shows that his worship was mere form. His lips named God, but his heart wa.s void of faith. . Cain’s countenance fell. See another picture of mere religion! Religion is long faced. How like a mule! Reli gion is likewise two-faced. Christ describes the religionist in.Luke 20:46 and 47. He dresses in garments of extrava gant length. He delights in being greeted in public with appelations like “Master,” “Rabbi,” or “Father.” He wants the chief seats in the synagogue and the best places at banquets. He is worldly ambitious, demands homage from men, and ever seeks prestige. For pretense, the re ligionist makes long prayers, but he swallows up money left to widows. A religionist may be an ecclesiastical em bezzler. Christianity is different. I t is humble, honest, sincere, simple, and supernatural. Christ brings joy to the heart: “the fruit of the Spirit is .. . joy.” The true Christian is not long faced, but bright faced. Just as the light streams out through a window on a dark night, showing that there is light and life within, to the countenance of the spiritual Christian is the window through which the light within1 streams out into the world, bringing Comfort and good cheer to those in darkness. G race Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted, but grace immediately works. In Genesis 4 :7, we read that God spake unto Cain saying, “If thou doest well [or right], shalt thou not be accepted?” Had Cain offered the right sacrifice, that is, the firstling of the flock and the fattest thereof, in faith, God would have accepted him. But he refused so to do. Sin is added to sin. “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” God said, “If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” Sin was ready to pounce upon Cain as a lion upon a victim. Be careful! God continued, in substance, “If you offer the right sacrifice, then you shall rule over your brother, you shall receive the inheritance, and the blessing shall be [Continued on page 122] , . ,
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