Of Cain and Abel

The Biblical story of Cain and Abel is one that we don’t think about very often. It struck me suddenly, during one of our small home gatherings, that the story could be used a metaphor for the difference between legalism and true discipleship.

 Now, I usually stick strictly to very literal and straightforward approaches to Scripture and try not to put meaning that isn't clearly inherent in the text. If there’s something more allegorical or metaphorical in our interpretation, then it should be presented as such – “I think that perhaps this Scripture could be used as an example of…”. It’s not “Thus says the LORD” or “Thou shalt not murder”. 

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And 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. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

(Genesis 4:1-7)

Two sacrifices were made. One was acceptable to God and one was not. The passage does not exactly tell us why Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted. There were two clues that we could examine – perhaps it is because Abel offered an animal sacrifice, following God’s example when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Or, perhaps, it is because of Cain’s heart and attitude – he was angry, “his countenance fell”, and later he murdered his brother on account of this sacrifice. What was Cain’s attitude as he offered his sacrifice – pride? Arrogance? Insecurity? What was his attitude afterwards – Anger, for sure. Maybe jealousy. 

The LORD said to Cain, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”

1. Are we presenting the “right sacrifices”?
2. Do we have the right attitudes?

I’m going to go straight to applying this to our lives as disciples of Christ. I’ve noticed in my Christian walk as well as in the lives of others that there are two kinds of “sacrifices” we c an make. Firstly, the kind that we want to make, that make us look good, but that God never asked us to make. We become “clever” and come up with “sacrificial” or “spiritual” things to do on our own accord. They could be authentic “sacrifices” such as prayer, fasting, and reading God’s word. But we do them with the wrong attitude and for the wrong reasons. 

Let us be clear – Jesus simply calls us to take up the cross and follow Him. Any kind of spiritual “sacrifice” we make will involve dying to ourselves, taking up our cross, suffering the shame and reproach of Christ (not the praises of men), and pouring ourselves out on the “altar” in love for God, our brethren and our neighbours. Basically, it must be in the model and image of Jesus being crucified.

Our Messiah did not exalt Himself. He did not enjoy the praises and adoration of men, but their scorn. He did not do it for any personal glory, but laid down His life for His sheep. He was “wholly other”, for the Father and for us.

Religiousity can be like Cain’s sacrifice. We come up with the “sacrifices” we want to make, and oh are we so clever to avoid the real, genuine sacrifices that are hard and that truly require dying to self. No, they have the appearance of religiousity but they are convenient. They also boost our spiritual egos and allow us to feel a sense of accomplish. Our “holiness” is boosted by personal effort. These are not the sacrifices that God desires, that are acceptable to Him. 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

(Romans 12:1-3)

Legalism is about building walls around ourselves and barriers between ourselves and others. It is inevitably accompanied by condemnation, condemnation we place on others and ourselves. It involves adding our own commandments and precepts to Scripture that aren’t explicitly written out, commandments that bolster our self-image and public image as zealous, committed “Christian”,

The temptation is always there. That is why Jesus constantly warned His disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees. 

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:20-23)
 
 So, our Christian life is not about the making of many rules and observances which are in themselves fleshly and carnal. Instead,

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(Colossians 3:1)

Legalism is fleshly. It involves fussing over things of no eternal importance, like whether we should brush our teeth or not, or eat pop tarts or not. It is as unspiritual as any other unspiritual attitude. 

It is also about having a very rigid form, a stronghold of the mind, that constricts us and condemns others. These form become like whitewashes that make us appear "all right" on the outside but mask the rot and decay within.

Let us not be Cain. Let us not offer the wrong sacrifices with the wrong attitude. Instead, we should be like Abel and offer the sacrifice that God actually desires.