THE inward thought of many, who have been kept from gross manifestations of evil, is that they are better than others whose lives openly declare them to be “publicans and sinners;” and so far as this life is concerned, they are no doubt better members of society, and fulfill their natural obligations with greater propriety and decorum. But have they any room to boast even before men on this account? How much less before God. Is not much of their outward propriety traceable to education, and the influence of favorable circumstances, or of kind and considerate friends? And, after all, do not the outwardly moral spring from the same sinful stock as the most profligate and profane? Have they not been conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity? (Psalms 51:5.) Are not their minds at enmity against God? (Romans 8:7.) Have they not sinful hearts, thoughts, and desires? (Genesis 6:5, 8:21; Matthew 12:34; Mark 7:21-23.) Yes, assuredly; for whatever difference there may be among men, “ALL [without exception] have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23.)
The “natural man” can, no doubt, produce natural fruit in abundance. He can exhibit skill and intelligence in the things of man, and even show kindness and benevolence to his fellow-creature; but he cannot bring forth fruit unto God, for “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8.) And, “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” (Hebrews 11:6.) Cain, the firstborn of Adam, “brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord, but the Lord had not respect unto him, nor to his offering.” (Genesis 4) And why? Because it was the fruit of the ground. Probably it was the best which the earth could produce, still it was the fruit of the earth, which had been cursed for man’s sin, and consequently could not be accepted by God as a suitable presentation by a sinner to Him who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil.”
So, they who bring their own good deeds,
Or life devoid of blame,
Will find their works accounted weeds,
And all their glory shame.
The beat the human heart can yield,
Is still the fruit of nature’s field.
Abel, on the other hand, “brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” He came before God as a sinner, bringing with him a victim, in token of the necessity of the shedding of blood for the remission of his sins. “By faith he offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.” (Hebrews 11:4.)
The sacrifice which Abel brought,
A lamb, its life and blood,
On which he had no labor wrought,
Was well received of God;
So, they who trust in Christ alone
The Lamb who once was slain,
And nature’s purest works disown,
A welcome will obtain;
For God, who knows a sinner’s needs,
Accepts the Lamb in lieu of deeds.
If it were possible, which it is not, for a man to keep the whole law, except in one point, that one offense would be fatal to him. (James 2:10.) But not only is man a sinner in practice, but what is worse, he is one by nature; and as a consequence, cannot bring forth good fruit; for “a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” (Matthew 7:17.) Hence the necessity of the work of Christ, who “once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18.) “He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9:26.) He shed His precious blood” for the remission of sins. “He who knew no sin, was made sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21.) Having” died unto sin once, “and” offered one sacrifice for sins, “and thus put away that which otherwise would have been an impassable barrier to a sinner’s entrance into the presence of God, He” was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,” and has “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” the proof to the believing soul that his sins have been put away: for He “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25.)
The question for every soul then is, “What think ye of Christ?” Have you God’s thoughts of Him? Are you taught of God to say, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God”? Have you brought the offering of faith, and found acceptance in God’s beloved Son? For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom men crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. (Acts 4:10-12.) The offering of works by man in unbelief cannot find acceptance with God, for how can the Living God own dead works? which are all that a man “dead in trespasses and sins” can produce. No; the acceptance of a sinner is in and through Christ; and as God will not give His glory to another, neither will He share it with him; the glory of our salvation must be all His own. The offerings of Cain and Abel cannot be blended. Salvation must be by Christ alone. Not by Christ and works, but simply and solely by Christ Himself, without any addition whatever to His one full and finished work upon the cross; owned and recognized by God, who raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory at His own right hand.
Have you then, come to God? If you have, happy are ye; for nothing shall be able to separate you from “the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If you have not come to Him, oh, delay not but while God’s one and only way of salvation is proclaimed, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus find acceptance with God, and blessing in Him forever and ever. Amen.