The heart of "TRUE WORSHIP"

[Mitspa]

We see from the beginning that Cain and Able represents that which would be the truth of mans relationship and worship of God throughout all the generations of man.
For God had cursed the ground, and mans labors upon the earth. This is known and seen by the types and shadows of scripture. The sweat of the brow and the thorns and thistles of the earth. All are witnesses to the curse.

Able and Cain knew very well that God has cursed the ground and mans labors therein. Yet that wicked Cain attempted to offer to God that which God had cursed?
But Able had seen Gods Mercy, and offered back to God that which represented His mercy. All a picture of "The Lamb of God, slain before the foundations of the world"

Here we find the truth of an acceptable gift and worship of our God?
For God so loved the world, that HE GAVE His only begotten Son.

You see, that the only thing acceptable to God is that which He gave us! Our worship then must be based upon what we have first received from God.

When we see the goodness of our God, this is TRUE REPENTANCE! and then we offer back to Him the sacrifice of our praise.

Awake to righteousness and sin not as Cain did! Offer the fruits of that which God has given and planted, in the death and resurrection of His beloved Son.

 

[Sparkey]

Quick thanks for sharing your insight into the sacrifices offered by Cain and by Able.

 

[Deborah13]

Excellant teaching Mitspa, enjoyed it. tks

 

[Mitspa]

Thank you guys!
This understanding of the Lamb of God (Our Beloved Christ) is seen throughout the scriptures, From the Old testament even unto 1 John?

3:12 Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his own "works" were evil, and his brothers righteous.

Now here in context of John speaking of those who "doeth" righteousness. He is clearly speaking of faith in Christ and not works of law. For all who are under the works of the law are under the curse of the law.

The word "doeth" is a very interesting word to translate?
POIEO G4160

To make
To bring forth (as from a tree)
to bear fruit as in Luke 13:9 and James 3:12
To fulfill
To keep
To perform
To abode
To agree
To appoint
It goes on and on in ways that it can be translated!
I think if most understood that very word a little better? Alot of false doctrine concerning acceptable "works" would be made clearer.

 

[Mitspa]

My thought in this thread was to reveal the priciple that true worship comes from receiving the goodness of God in the gift of His Son "the Lamb of God"
This priciple of "he who has, more will be given" is seen throughout all scripture? God does not work according to man but according to His own goodness and promises.
Many are blinded to the fact that God always desires to deal with us on the bases of what He has given. "to whom much is given, much is required" Is not understood until one learns to receive from God that which He gives freely.

Understanding that God gave us His very best in His Beloved Son, allows us to accept that with Him, God will freely give us all things.

The reason some seem so far from the promises of God, is because their faith is not upon the Object of what was God Has given to us. WITH HIM, HE WILL FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS.

Our worship of God will never abound past our ability to accept and receive His Goodness in Christ Jesus.

Col 2:6-7 As ye have RECEIVED Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up IN HIM, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, ABOUNDING THEREIN with THANKSGIVING.

I tell that one who has the truth of the gospel will abound in worship and thangsgiving. This is the sacrifice that God desires? That we rejoice in His Son, and offer back to God that which He first gave to us.

Not as that wicked Cain who thought to offer God a cursed work of flesh. But as Able who offered the Lamb in righteousness.

Here is the kingdom of God for those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear? Has Christ come and filled the heart? If so you are a "Jew" inwardly and your heart has been circumcised.

"Jude" Means PRAISE, if praise is not flowing then the heart has not received the truth as it should.

For the heart that has received is full and cannot be long without a song unto our God.

OH Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His Mercy endureth forever!

 

[Mitspa]

WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.
The foundations of our faith are in what God has given us, based upon His love. Now all believers should have a trust in Gods love and goodness towards them. satan attacks this above all other things. The demonic realm, that rules this world has no love at all. It is void of all love and kindness and rules by laws of fear, greed, etc...

When we worship God based upon His love for us, we in essence defeat the demonic kingdom and cut off many of those things they would attempt upon us. The mind in "hope" is a protected mind. "set your mind" is not a religious duty but a protection for us.

Eph 5:19 with songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.

Our praise indeed is a weapon and a defense for us in our daily battle. But all must be based upon what God has first given to us. rejoice and be glad! For he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him!

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

To the extent that Cain's sacrifice was rejected by God, it is important to focus on exactly what you said, Mitspa, regarding that what God wants is us. It had nothing to do with the nature of the sacrifice either Cain or Abel brought, but the attitude with which they brought it. Abel brought the best of his flock -- "of the firstlings" -- whereas Cain brought only "brought an offering" without qualification of what portion it came from. It is also our attitude that dictates how honored we are by God. If we have little regard for living for Him, He will have little blessing for us. If we have great regard, our blessing will be great.

 

[stovebolts]

Able and Cain knew very well that God has cursed the ground and mans labors therein. Yet that wicked Cain attempted to offer to God that which God had cursed?
But Able had seen Gods Mercy, and offered back to God that which represented His mercy. All a picture of "The Lamb of God, slain before the foundations of the world"

Let's look at this a bit closer...

Genesis 4: 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

First off we have a problem... God doesn't authorize the eating of meat until after the flood. But that's another topic. What we do see is that Able brought the portions of fat from the firstborn of his flocks. Yet Cain simply bring "som of the fruits" as an offerning. I would suggest that if we were to read this through the lens which it was written (Levitiacal) then those fruits should have at least been the first fruits which would be in line with Able's offering from his firstborn.

Just a thought...

I probably won't be back till next week to check out your replies, so don't take it wrong if I don't come back for a week. Life, wow! So much to do!

Take care.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Let's look at this a bit closer...

Genesis 4: 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

First off we have a problem... God doesn't authorize the eating of meat until after the flood. But that's another topic. What we do see is that Able brought the portions of fat from the firstborn of his flocks. Yet Cain simply bring "som of the fruits" as an offerning. I would suggest that if we were to read this through the lens which it was written (Levitiacal) then those fruits should have at least been the first fruits which would be in line with Able's offering from his firstborn.

Just a thought...

I probably won't be back till next week to check out your replies, so don't take it wrong if I don't come back for a week. Life, wow! So much to do!

Take care.

Hmmm ... where have I read a similar post? Where? Where can it be? :crazy

 

[Mitspa]

To the extent that Cain's sacrifice was rejected by God, it is important to focus on exactly what you said, Mitspa, regarding that what God wants is us. It had nothing to do with the nature of the sacrifice either Cain or Abel brought, but the attitude with which they brought it. Abel brought the best of his flock -- "of the firstlings" -- whereas Cain brought only "brought an offering" without qualification of what portion it came from. It is also our attitude that dictates how honored we are by God. If we have little regard for living for Him, He will have little blessing for us. If we have great regard, our blessing will be great.

The points I made were clear and evident to those who understand that Ables offering represented Christ Jesus. The righteousness of faith. Cain offered what God had cursed, mans labor in the gound a picture of self-righteousness by the law, "for all those who are under the law are under the curse of the law" Now this is clear to me and to others, so not sure how I can help you see it any better, for this truth runs throughout scripture. Even the sacrifices before law and during the law represented Christ Jesus. The blood sacrifice! A first year bible student in any denom has been taught the this basic principle. I just showed that the gospel was Gods plan from the beginnig. "The Lamb slain from the foundations of the world" The whole bible is from beginning to end about The Lord Jesus Christ and His Righteousness.

He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. All things were made by Him and for Him, and without Him nothing would be.

So God so loved the world that He gave us His very best and all true worship is to return that which He gave to us In Christ. This is why Able was righteous and Cain was not accepted. Its clear and evident to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

The points I made were clear and evident to those who understand that Ables offering represented Christ Jesus. The righteousness of faith. Cain offered what God had cursed, mans labor in the gound a picture of self-righteousness by the law, "for all those who are under the law are under the curse of the law" Now this is clear to me and to others, so not sure how I can help you see it any better, for this truth runs throughout scripture.

Perhaps you should read further into Genesis.

Genesis 8 NASB
21 The LORD smelled the soothing aroma ; and the LORD said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.
​

God removed the curse on the ground, as He had cursed it for the sin of Adam. It continued until after the Flood, and the words in Genesis 8:21 were spoken to Noah after God opened the door to the Ark. The Flood cleansed the Earth. It was Living Water, as is Christ. The curse was, at this juncture, now was taken off, and the ground became more fruitful. This was because of the waters that had covered it for the previous eight and half months.

The blood sacrifice was not ordered until Moses recorded God's Law. Remember, we're talking about an occasion to honor God, not to receive Him as Savior and Lord in the ceremony the brothers institute. So it had nothing to do with salvation. Both were under the blessing of God, so there was no need for them to again receive Him. The blood sacrifices in the Law were not truly saving in nature, therefore, until the Law was laid down, the blood sacrifice was not God's directive, but a implementation and construct of man. Nowhere, prior to the Law, was anyone in the Bible told to offer a blood sacrifice for atonement. Even Isaac's trip to the mountain to be sacrificed by his father Abraham did not establish any such concept. It merely reflected Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Even when the Law was instituted, the sacrifices were not sufficient for atonement, for as the writer of Hebrews tells us, if they were, they would not have to have been repeated, year after year.

Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner, and according to God's appointment, by his sacrifice expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not.

Hebrews 11
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.​

 

[iLOVE]

Perhaps you should read further into Genesis.

Genesis 8 NASB
21 The LORD smelled the soothing aroma ; and the LORD said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground on account of man​

, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.
​

God removed the curse on the ground, as He had cursed it for the sin of Adam. It continued until after the Flood, and the words in Genesis 8:21 were spoken to Noah after God opened the door to the Ark. The Flood cleansed the Earth. It was Living Water, as is Christ. The curse was, at this juncture, now was taken off, and the ground became more fruitful. This was because of the waters that had covered it for the previous eight and half months.

The blood sacrifice was not ordered until Moses recorded God's Law, and while that does not necessarily negate the possibility the blood sacrifice offered by Abel as being the preferred sacrifice, the more important aspect of the Genesis 4 account is the difference in attitude between the brothers. Remember, we're talking about an occasion to honor God, not to receive Him as Savior and Lord in the ceremony the brothers institute. So it had nothing to do with salvation. Both were under the blessing of God, so there was no need for them to again receive Him.

Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner, and according to God's appointment, by his sacrifice expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not.

Hebrews 11
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
​

The "curse" of which God speaks here refers to the fact that He will not again visit the Earth with a flood.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

The "curse" of which God speaks here refers to the fact that He will not again visit the Earth with a flood.

No. That promise comes in Genesis 9.

 

[iLOVE]

Genesis 8:21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savor (the burning of the Sacriface was sweet unto the Lord, because it spoke of the Coming Redeemer, Who would lift man out of this morass of evil);

and the Lord said in His Heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake (the "curse" of which God speaks here refers to the fact that He will not again visit the Earth with a flood);

for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done (it means that God will take into consideration the results of the Fall, over which man at the time has no control; however, there is a remedy, which is the Altar, i.e.,"the Cross").

 

[Mitspa]

Noah, Abraham etc.. all show the blood sacrifice that represent faith in the blood of Christ. This is not debated in any biblical circle that I know of?

Christ Jesus in the "garden" sweat drops of blood, showing us that He alone redeemed the earth with His Blood. The crown of "thorns" represent that He became accursed for us that we might be set free from the curse. These truths are shown throughout all scriptures and cannot be challenged nor are they challenged in honest "christian" teachings.

 

[Mitspa]

I never really understood why God liked Abel's offering better than Cain's before. What you said makes perfect sense. Thx for that.

Thanks brother, glad to help others see the Glory of Christ. Everything is revealed when we really understand the gospel of the glory of Christ. All righteousness is true faith in Him. This is from the beginning to the end. For He is the Author and finisher of faith. He is the Alpha and Omega. The Lord Jesus told the parisees, scribes and lawers that if they had really heard the law and prophets "Old Testament" they would know who He Is! FOR THEY SPOKE OF ME.

 

[Mitspa]

In the Hebrew tradition a man would be matched to a bride and that husband would make a promise to the bride and then depart from her and go to his fathers house and build a place for her attached to his fathers house. The bride would remain with her people and with her own family for a year, while the husband went away and "prepared a place" for her. This year was considered a time of testing of her chaste condition.

Now consider the Lord when He spoke to the 12, who represented His Bride? " In My Fathers House are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive unto myself that where I am you will be also.
(In the Greek He speaks to them as females)

Now according to tradition the husband would return the the brides fathers house and "call her out" "ekektos" and then take her to his fathers house and she would be considered forever a part of that mans family.

Now much in the gospel can be understood through this tradition? Consider all the scriptures that relate to the bridegroom and her wait for the return of the Groom?

She is told to keep the oil for her lamp, to keep her garments pure..etc..

So if we would see that we are in a time of testing until He returns and that our worship is because we have His Promise and He will return to us. We should have our hearts full of His Love and our lights burning at all times. We should keep ourselves holy unto our beloved.

 

[Grazer]

True worship is all about the heart

 

[Grazer]

Mate of mine just posted on his Facebook;

"If it is offered to God in spirit and truth, its an act of worship"

 

[Mitspa]

In the Hebrew tradition a man would be matched to a bride and that husband would make a promise to the bride and then depart from her and go to his fathers house and build a place for her attached to his fathers house. The bride would remain with her people and with her own family for a year, while the husband went away and "prepared a place" for her. This year was considered a time of testing of her chaste condition.

Now consider the Lord when He spoke to the 12, who represented His Bride? " In My Fathers House are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive unto myself that where I am you will be also.
(In the Greek He speaks to them as females)

Now according to tradition the husband would return the the brides fathers house and "call her out" "ekektos" and then take her to his fathers house and she would be considered forever a part of that mans family.

Now much in the gospel can be understood through this tradition? Consider all the scriptures that relate to the bridegroom and her wait for the return of the Groom?

She is told to keep the oil for her lamp, to keep her garments pure..etc..

So if we would see that we are in a time of testing until He returns and that our worship is because we have His Promise and He will return to us. We should have our hearts full of His Love and our lights burning at all times. We should keep ourselves holy unto our beloved.

I agree grazer that worship is based upon the heart. Idols are set up in the heart of men when they fail to see that what we have, we have because God in His goodness, has first given it to us.

"We love Him because He first loved us" is not understood among most "christians". We hear it preached "you have to love the Lord" but few seem to understand that no man can love God apart from first receiving Gods Love for them.

This is the Love of God shed abroad in the heart, by the Holy Spirit. It is "spirit and truth"

what I hope that some would see is Gods Love revealed in the Person of His beloved Son. The understanding of the soul to the truth, opens tho doors of the heart to receive Gods Love and then true worship can be enjoyed.