Genesis 4 is a great passage of scripture if you want to understand what God would one day show in his Son dying on the cross as the spotless lamb.

This is what one writer said of this passage of scripture. "In Genesis 3, you find where sin separated man from God in Genesis 4 you find where sin separated man from man." How true of a statement that is!

There were two offerings given, and one was accepted, and the other was rejected.

Cain's was about works; Abel's was about a blood sacrifice.

Cain's was about the fruit of his labor; Abel's was about the fruit of someone else's labor (the mother of the lamb)

Cain's offering could grow again; Abel's offering died once and never was offered again.

Cain's offering would one day rot and sour; Abel's offering would die and be offered. It wouldn't sour!

Cain's offering stunk before God; Abel's offering was a sweet savor to God.

You see, Cain's offering is a picture of those who think they have to work their way to heaven while Abel's offering shows the lamb handled the payment once and for all.

Cain is a picture of a lost man doing good deeds, hoping to get some recognition; Abel points all his recognition to the God that would send his only Son to die for all.

See, the offering that was given by Cain would never be accepted in God's eyes because it repeatedly states that salvation is not by works. (Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9;Titus 3:5)

On the other hand, the offering of Abel would be accepted, and if you use this analogy for today, you will understand the picture of the spotless Lamb who died for sin once and for all. The Lamb will never go back to the cross and die again because it was paid and full when he said it was finished. (John 1:29;Hebrews 9:22;John 19:30; Isaiah 53; John 10:18)

The question is, what offering are you trusting in? The one of your own work or the finished work of the Spotless Lamb? which is Jesus Christ!

Thank you for reading today's fire-starter devotional. If it was a blessing to you, please pass it along to others. If you know someone who is lost, please share this with them. If you have a prayer request, please send it to Justin@rtfministries.net.

Hope you have a great day