ICS Daily Devotions
Self-Righteousness Cannot Please God
Hebrews 11:4 (NKJV) By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
An innocent animal was killed when Adam and Eve sinned against God, so we learnt that blood needs to be shed in order to bring about forgiveness from God. There must be the shedding of blood of an animal to appease the wrath of God towards sin because He is a holy God.
Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Abel came by faith to offer an animal from the flock. It was the more excellent sacrifice because there was the shedding of blood for his sins. He was humble and obedient to the way stipulated by God. Cain, on the other hand, tried to use the produce of the land cultivated by his own effort, and God rejected Cain’s offering because it displeased Him.
Isaiah 64:6a (NKJV) But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags
Likewise, there are times when we attempt to use our own strength, good works, and abilities to come before God. However, we cannot boast of our own effort, just like Cain who approached God based on his terms, because our self-righteousness is like filthy rags, and makes us inappropriately dressed to meet God. Instead, we should just have faith in the blood of Jesus Christ which gave us our imputed righteousness. This is what pleases God!
Genesis 4:4 (NIV) And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering.
Blood represents life. The shedding of blood is sacrificing a life for another life. God was pleased and looked at Abel favourably because he obeyed and did it according to God’s requirement. Therefore, Abel was seen as righteous and Cain unrighteous. Likewise, we need to obey, acknowledge, submit, and have faith in the way that God has established for us to approach Him through the blood of Jesus Christ. We need to come before God by faith based on what Jesus has done for us on the cross of Calvary.
Also, we will enter a state of rest when we cease from using our own strength and futile works to approach God. We need to have the conviction that Jesus’ sacrifice is good enough, and we cannot add to His work by adding on what we do in our own strength, nor can we subtract from His work.
Sermon Series: What Pleases God?
