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From Eternity Past
bringing a sacrifice, but rendered only partial obedience. Recognition
of the need of a Redeemer was left out.
These brothers were both sinners, and both acknowledged the
claims of God to reverence and worship. To outward appearance
their religion was the same up to a certain point, but beyond this the
difference was great.
The Great Difference Between Cain and Abel
“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain.”
Hebrews 11:4
. Abel saw himself a sinner, and he saw sin and
its penalty, death, standing between his soul and God. He brought the
slain victim, thus acknowledging the claims of the law that had been
transgressed. Through the shed blood he looked to Christ dying on the
cross. Trusting in the atonement there to be made, he had the witness
that he was righteous and his offering accepted.
Cain had the same opportunity of accepting these truths as had
Abel. One brother was not elected to be accepted of God and the other
rejected. Abel chose faith and obedience; Cain, unbelief and rebellion.
Cain and Abel represent two classes that will exist till the close of
time. One avail themselves of the appointed sacrifice for sin; the other
depend upon their own merits. Those who feel no need of the blood of
Christ, who feel that they can by their own works secure the approval
of God, are making the same mistake as did Cain.
Nearly every false religion has been based on the same principle—
that man can depend upon his own efforts for salvation. It is claimed
by some that the human race can refine, elevate, and regenerate itself.
[39]
As Cain thought to secure divine favor by an offering that lacked the
blood of a sacrifice, so do these expect to exalt humanity to the divine
standard, independent of the atonement. The history of Cain shows
that humanity does not tend upward toward the divine, but downward
toward the satanic. Christ is our only hope. See
Acts 4:12
.
True faith will be manifested by obedience to all the requirements
of God. From Adam’s day to the present the great controversy has been
concerning obedience to God’s law. In all ages there have been those
who claimed a right to the favor of God while disregarding some of
His commands. But by works is “faith made perfect,” and without the
works of obedience, faith “is dead.”
James 2:22, 17
. He who professes