There is a Right Way
by Jimmy YoungReligious teachers disagree over many vital questions regarding the identity of the Lord's church, what is acceptable worship, and the way of salvation; but there is a way that is right and cannot be wrong.
An important principle which helps us find the right answers to these and other Bible questions is clearly illustrated in Genesis 4:3-5. Here, we are told,
"...in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell" (Genesis 4:3-5).
We are made to wonder why God accepted the sacrifice of Abel and rejected the sacrifice of Cain, unless we read God's own explanation in the New Testament book of Hebrews. The Hebrews writer says,
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous..." (Hebrews 11:4). The words
"by faith" are key words in this passage, for we read from Romans 10:17,
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Since faith is the result of hearing God's Word, and since Abel offered his sacrifice by faith, it is evident that God had told both Cain and Abel what and how to sacrifice. Abel offered precisely what God had commanded, with the right attitude of heart, and thus he was acceptable unto God. Whereas, Cain, through human wisdom, offered a substitute, and did wrong. Human wisdom is often wrong. God's way is always right!
