Read Genesis 4.
Referring to modern trends in faith, in one article, Christianity Today once called it "do it yourself religion". Pollster George Gallup referred to it as "religion ala carte." In other words, they were noticing a movement toward people believing what they want, taking a little here and there, that please them.
May I kindly say, this is nothing new. It is as old as Genesis 4 and Cain himself.
Our present relationship with the God of heaven and our eternal destiny is solely dependent upon God's Word and what He wants of us in response. Notice the words in verses 5 and 6. God had "regard" for the right response, but had "no regard" (rejected) Cain's attempt to respond to God in whatever way he wanted.
God's statement in verse 7 is key: "If you do well, will you not be accepted?" God is actually giving Cain a second chance to make things right. But his anger at God and the jealous hatred at his brother's acceptance leads to the first murder. Why did he murder Abel? "Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous." (1John 3:12b)
As I read today how Christians are being persecuted around the world because of their faith in Jesus and how nativities are being opposed in America, I am reminded that there is nothing new under the sun. I am grateful that God grace is available to those of us who need that second chance to come to Him.
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