Hard Truths

“…When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift- the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry and he looked dejected.” [Gen. 4:2-5 (NLT)]

If you ask me, the hardest truths about following god are right here in the story of Cain and Abel. In here we find two ugly facts that tend to scare just about every Christian that wants to serve.

The first truth is that there are two types of believers, the Cains and the Abels. Much like the Pharisees and the Disciples.

Some serve like Abel. They are good shepherds and give their best to the Lord. They serve they way the Lord God intended. With all their heart, with all their soul, with all their mind and with all their strength.

Unfortunately, some also serve like Cain did. They claim to follow God but they just use him for personal gain and give very little in return. In other words, they serve the opposite of how God intended. They GLORIFY THEMSELVES more than they GLORIFY GOD.

“How do I know which one I am? I don’t want to serve like Cain, but I don’t know if I serve like Abel.” This is the situation for many of us. God’s answer…

“You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue and be its master.” [Gen. 4:7 (NLT)]

If you HEED THIS WARNING, and if you are willing to DO WHAT IS RIGHT by God no matter what the inconvenience; then you are serving the right way. The hard truth is, that will be too high a price for some, and with their own SELFISH PRIDE they will cut themselves off from God’s blessing.

“One day Cain suggested to his brother ‘Let’s go out into the fields.’ And while they were in the fields Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.” [Gen. 4:8 (NLT)]

This is what I’d consider the HARDEST TRUTH about being a Christian. Not only are there people who simply WILL NOT find the path of righteousness in their lives, but there are people who will try to stop the one’s who desire to do so.

Christians, we need to come to terms with the risks. By standing up for our faith we could lose our popularity, friends, jobs, family members, and in extreme cases our LIVES.

I know this is scary. But we cannot let this fear STOP US! Satan may have a pretty good grip on this world but do not let him have a grip on YOUR HEART. We need to serve BOLDLY. Do not hold your tongue to appease the persecutors, but shout his praises for the sake of THOSE WHO CAN BE SAVED! And never judge who goes in which category, as surely as Paul was converted, so can other sinners convert to The Way.

It all comes down to what Jesus said in the Beatitudes. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” [Mat. 5:11-12(NLT)]

It’s self-explanatory, Christians. We know there is a heaven. So let’s BOLDLY do ALL WE CAN to see people get there.

May the Lord’s guidance be with you all,