Who Do You Worship?

Read Genesis 4-5
 
Genesis 4:2b-7 When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 "Why are you so angry?" the Lord asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."
 
ABEL’s and Cain’s story is an illustration of how sin corrupts God’s image in the human race. One aspect of God’s image in us is revealed in the brothers’ acts of worship. Every human heart has a desire to worship. We must learn God is the only One to whom we fully offer ourselves.
   Have you ever wondered how the brothers knew to worship God? We can easily believe God taught proper worship to his son Adam. Then Adam and Eve told their sons of God’s creation, his commands, their own disobedience, the curse and God’s promise to redeem the curse (Genesis 3:15). As Eve rejoiced in Cain’s birth, she seemed to be hopeful Cain is the man God promised to overcome Satan.
   Yes, Cain worshiped. But why was God displeased with Cain’s offering? We don’t know for certain because the Bible doesn’t specifically tell us. But there is some good evidence. First, the Bible repeatedly tells us the Lord desires true sacrifice. Perhaps, given Cain’s prideful nature, God did not see his offering as a sacrifice but as a convenience to Cain. Where’s your heart when you worship? Second, Cain obviously was very prideful. As the older brother he had the responsibility to lead Abel to true worship as God decreed, not in Cain’s own pleasure. Cain rejected the Lord’s command to repent. God cannot accept a sacrifice from a self-seeking, untrue heart.
   A third reason is God’s redemptive plan requires a blood sacrifice. In God’s law there would be grain and animal sacrifices. But the atonement – the true payment – for sins would only come in a blood sacrifice. Thus, we see the blood of the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world foretold here.
   We also see God’s mercy. God gave Cain the opportunity to worship correctly. Then after Cain’s premeditated murder of his brother, God put a mark on Cain to protect him from harm. But Cain’s sin was so strong in his heart, his entire life was a constant battle against God’s Word. 
   What we can see in Genesis 4-5 is the beginning of two separate lines of people: those who obey God and those who do not. As you read Genesis 5, you have seen God replace Abel with the righteous Seth. And you have read of Cain’s continued disobedience, even as God spares and protects his life. This conflict is repeated throughout the Bible with people of God against people of evil. This will continue until the new heaven and earth when only God’s righteousness rules the earth.
   As a Christian, we must understand who we worship. When sin confronts you, do you look down in anger or up to God for his forgiveness? Is it God’s law you follow or your own desires? Who rules your life?