Do well by faith and be accepted…

“If you do well, will you not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:7)

In Genesis 4:6, GOD asked Cain, “Why art thou wroth and why is thy countenance fallen?” GOD had rejected Cain’s offering while accepting the offering of his brother Abel. As a result, Cain became angry and “his countenance fell.”

No one likes rejection, but who should Cain have been frustrated with?

GOD’S question to Cain was intended to remind him of a truth he should have already known. The source of Cain’s failure was his decision to act without faith. The Hebrew writer tells us in Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…” For Cain to have done well in Genesis 4:7, it would have required him to act according to faith. “Faith comes from hearing the word of GOD…” (Romans 10:17) It is certainly safe to conclude that both Cain and Abel had heard a command from GOD regarding the offering they were to bring. Abel did well and offered according to faith, by obeying the command given to him. Cain on the other hand did not do well. He chose to not obey but rather brought GOD an offering of his choosing. GOD’S response to Cain was rejection. Let us always strive to do well by responding to the commands of God by faith.