Welcome to Mountain Top

Praise the Lord, Grace & Peace, great people of our Great God…JESUS!

This life that we live in Christ Jesus often paints a canvas that reflects our personal experience, and what we observe others do! Paul made it very clear that in the last day, men would have a form of godliness but their lives would deny the power thereof! Hence, it is imperative that we give Jesus what He requires during our life in this terrestrial environment. Moses made it very plain in (Deu. 10:12-14) “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.”

Hence, for this Golden Nugget, the Lord has impressed upon me the thought: “Will You Please Just Give Jesus What He Request?” To provoke further gospel provocation, I present the following scriptures to support my premise!

(Gen 4:1-5) “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”

(1Co 15:19-23) “ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”

As I evaluated the fourth chapter of Genesis, I found that it reveals false worship presented by a religious man named Cain, contrawise to a genuine man of faith named Abel. We have, in the persons of Cain and Abel, the first examples of a religious man (Cain) according to worldly standards, and a genuine man of faith (Abel) according to God’s standard. It is imperative that we understand that they were born outside of Eden, separated from the Tree of Life! They both were the sons of fallen Adam; hence, by their nature, they had nothing natural to distinguish themselves from one another, because they were both depraved sinners. Both had a fallen nature, and neither was innocent. It is imperative that I reference this to see the reality of divine grace and the integrity of faith that was required. Please understand, my brothers and sisters, that if the distinction between Cain and Abel was founded in their nature, then it is an inevitable conclusion that they were not partakers of the fallen nature of their father, nor were they participants in the circumstances of Adam’s fall.

My brothers and sisters, some try to teach that every man is born with qualities and capacities which, if rightly used, will enable him to work his way back to God. Yet this is a plain denial of the clear fact that Cain and Abel were not born inside, but outside of Eden, separated from the Tree of Life.  Hence, this was the result of them not being innocent, but evolvers of their fallen father Adam.

The Word of God gives credence to this in (Gen 5:3) “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:”

They all came into the world as partakers of the nature of their father; and it mattered not in what ways that nature might display itself, it was still a fallen, ruined, irremediable nature. (John 3:7) “That which is born of the flesh is (not merely flesh) but flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is, (not merely spiritual, but) spirit.”

If ever there was a fair opportunity for the distinctive qualities, capacities, resources, and tendencies of nature to manifest itself, the life of Cain and Abel furnished it. Neither one of them was a part of the Dispensation of Innocence, nor could they recover their lost innocence. They were “flesh.” They could not be innocent, because Adam had lost his innocence! Hence, Adam will always be identified as the head of a Fallen race, who, by his disobedience, we were all made “sinners.” (Rom. 5:19) He was the corrupt source, from which emanated the corrupt streams of ruined and guilty humanity! That’s right my brothers and sisters, the dead trunk which rendered forth the branches of a dead humanity, morally and spiritually!

Adam could not bequeath nor impart his faith to Cain or Abel. His possession was simply the fruit of divine love. He, as a father, was in a condition of ruin. Hence, his son could only be in the same state. As is the begetter, so are they also that were begotten of him. They must, of necessity, partake of the nature of him from whom they have sprung. “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy.” (1 Cor. 15:48)

Nothing can be more essential than a correct understanding of the doctrine of federal headship. If we referenced (Rom. 5:12-21), we will find that the inspired Apostle Paul looked at the whole human race comprehended under two heads. The fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians also furnishes instruction of a similar character. In the First man, we have sin, disobedience, and death. In The Second Man (Jesus Christ), we have righteousness, obedience, and life. As we derive a nature from the former, so do we also from the latter. No doubt, each nature will display, in each specific case, its own peculiar energies; it will be manifest in each individual’s peculiar life.

Now, as the mode in which we derive a nature from the first man is by birth, is also the mode in which we derive a nature from the Second man is by new birth. Anyone being born partakes of the nature of Adam; anyone “born again” partakes of the nature of Jesus Christ. A newly born infant, though entirely incapable of performing the act which reduced Adam to the condition of a fallen being, is, nevertheless, a partaker of his nature. It is likewise through the perfect obedience of “the man Christ Jesus,” we are partakers of His nature. The former nature is according to “the will of man,” (John 1), the latter is according to “the will of God,“ as documented by brother James, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, teaches us, “Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, (James 1:18)

My brothers and sisters, what were the distinguishing factors that made the difference between Abel and Cain? Based on my premise thus far, Abel was not distinguished from his brother Cain by anything natural. The distinction between them was not grounded in their nature or circumstances, for “there was no difference.” So, what made the vast difference? The answer is as simple as the gospel of the grace of God can make it. The difference was not in themselves, in their nature, or their circumstances; it lay entirely in the earnestness of their sacrifices. This always makes the difference pertaining to all truly convicted sinners.

My account of Abel opens on the grounds of his relationship with God. It shows us distinctly that he could not come to God on the grounds of the natural man. Hence, he had to seek God outside himself, and in the person and work of another’s innocence, in order to have fellowship with his Holy, Just, and only true God! The entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews gives sufficient reference to this, for “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice (pleiona thusian) than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God bearing witness (parturountos) to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaks.” Hence, it is a fact, my brothers and sisters, that it was not based on the men, but their required “Sacrifice.”  It was not a question as to the offeror, but the offering. Hence, it was in no wise a question as to the men, but only as to their “Sacrifice.” Hence, it was not a question as to the offeror. I truly believe that this was the distinction between Cain and Abel. This most definitely represents, in truth, any sinner’s standings before God!

The Word states in Gen. 4:3-5 “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fruit thereof. And the Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offering; but to Cain and to his offering, he had not respect.” This renders the distinction between Cain and Abel. Cain offered God the fruit of a cursed earth, and that, moreover, without any blood to atone for the curse. He presented “An unbloody sacrifice,” simply because he had no faith in what was required. Had he possessed an understanding of the divine principle required, it would have rendered illumination unto him, that “Without shedding of blood, there is no remission,” according to the entire 9^th chapter in the book of Hebrews. It is more than obvious that the penalty of sin is death. Cain was a sinner, and, as such, death stood between him and God. But his offering shows no recognition of this fact. There was no presentation of an innocent sacrificed life to meet the requirement of divine holiness, as it pertained to his condition as a sinner. Cain approached God as if he had it all together, and therefore God would accept his sin-stained works of a cursed earth!

Cain’s behavior displays his entire ignorance, in reference to the divine requirement, in reference to his own character and condition, being a lost and guilty sinner, trying to render an unacceptable offering which he had produced by the labor of his hands, and the sweat of his brow.

Cain represented a false religious mindset, that is totally contrawise to how to approach God.

When I consider the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, I see at once that if He had not died on the cross, all His services on earth for 33 years would have proved utterly ineffective in establishing a relationship with God for me. I know that Jesus “He went about doing good” all his life, but it was his death that rent the veil in twain (Matt. 27:61. This allows the worshippers now to approach into “the Holy of Holies.” Hence, we can see the false ground on which Cain stood as an offeror and a worshipper! An unpardoned sinner coming into the presence of God, to present “an unbloody sacrifice,” could only be regarded as guilty before God, I don’t care how hard Cain worked for it. It proved that our salvation did not come by the works of our own hands. None of us, as sinners, through our own efforts, can remove the curse and stain of sin that would satisfy an infinite and Holy God! My brothers and sisters, Cain has had billions of followers down through the ages, representing the false religion system in the world.

My brothers and sisters, it’s obvious that some of the following scriptures I reference render man’s true position before God, as to the proper ground of worship. Psalm 1; Isaiah 1:11-18; Acts 17:22-34. 

Let us now consider Abel’s sacrifice. “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof.” In other words, Abel entered, by faith, into the glorious truth, that God could be approached by rendering the proper sacrifice; that there was such a thing as a sinner’s placing the innocent death of another between himself and the consequence of his sin, and that the claims of God’s character could be met by the blood of a spotless victim, offered to meet God’s demands.

Here, however, is precisely where the cross comes in. In that cross, the convicted sinner can behold a divine provision for all his guilt and all his need. It is in Christ’s cross that a sinner sees death and judgment entirely removed from the scene, and life and glory set in their stead. Christ has cleared the prospect of death and judgment, so far as the regenerated are concerned; they have been filled with life, righteousness, and glory. (Romans 5:1-2) states: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Yes, my brothers and sisters “He has abolished death, and brought life and incorruptibility to light, through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:10 He has glorified God in the putting away of that which would have separated you and I forever, from His holy and blissful presence. (Heb 9:26) “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

All this is, as a typology, set forth in Abel’s “more excellent sacrifice.” There was no attempt, on Abel’s part, to set aside the truth as to his own condition, as a guilty sinner. There was no attempt to turn aside the edge of the flaming sword at the gate of the Garden of Eden and force his way back to the tree of life. Abel knew he deserved death and judgment, but he found a substitute.

Jesus Christ has proven to be his substitute, his ransom, his most excellent sacrifice, and his ALL and ALL.

All who continue to walk by faith can lay hold of that divine reality; they can continue to enjoy a peace which the world can neither give nor take away. It is faith that puts our soul in the present possession of this peace. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1) Hence, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.”

It is not a question of Feelings, as so many would make it. It is entirely a question of Faith in an accomplished fact, Faith that is wrought in the soul of a sinner by the power of the Holy Ghost. This Faith exceeds mere emotional Feelings in our heart, and the assent of our intellect. I always reiterate that Feelings are not Faith, nor is Intellectual assent. Some try to make it the mere assent of the intellect to a certain proposition. This is false. It makes the question of Faith terrestrial, whereas it is really divine. It reduces Faith to the level of man, but genuine Faith is an imperishable principle, emanating from an eternal source, even God Himself; it lays hold of God’s truth, and sets one’s soul in God’s presence.

Saints, Faith built on feelings is like Jonah’s gourd in (Jon.4:6-7), but divine Faith justifies the soul; (Rom. 5:1) it purifiesthe heart; (Acts 15:9) it works by love; (Gal. 5:6) it overcomes the world. (1 John 5:4) Feelings and sentiment will never accomplish such results; they belong to the natural man and earth, faith belongs to God and to heaven; Feelings are occupied with self, Faith is occupied with Christ; Feelings look inward and downward, Faith looks outward and upward; Feelings can leave the soul in darkness and doubt, Faith leads it into light and peace; Feelings have to do with one’s own fluctuating condition, Faith has to do with God’s immutable truth, and Christ’s eternal enduring sacrifice!

My brothers and sisters, the fruits of faith must never be confounded with faith itself. I am not justified by feelings, nor by faith feelings, but simply by Faith! And why? Because faith believes God when He speaks; it takes Him at His word; it apprehends Him as He has revealed Himself in the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what has afforded us life, righteousness, and peace. To apprehend God as He is, renders eternal blessedness.

Hence, this validates my premise that “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Cain had no faith, and, therefore, he offered an unbloody sacrifice. Abel had faith, and, therefore, he offered both “blood and fat,” and as a typology set forth the inherent excellency of the Person of Jesus Christ. Please note my brothers and sisters, both blood and fat, were forbidden to be eaten under the Mosaic law. The blood is the life, and man, under law, had no title to life. But notice in the gospel of John, the sixth chapter, we are taught that unless we partake of the blood of Christ, we have no life in us. Christ is the life. There is not a spark of life outside of Him; hence, ALL not in Jesus Christ is DEAD. “In him is life.”

It is a fact that Jesus gave up His life on the cross, and because of His life, sin was attached by imputation when Jesus was nailed to that cursed tree. Thereafter, He was put in a grave and rose triumphant in the power of a new life, and through his righteousness and resurrection, He has justified us! He alone atoned for our sins. Lev. 17:11 “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood which makes an atonement for the soul.”

My brothers and sisters, “God testified of Abel’s gifts.” He did not bear witness to Abel, but to Abel’s sacrifice; and this qualifies the ground of a believer’s peace and acceptance before God. Paul conveys to us in Rom. 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

My brothers and sisters, the question for every believer is not, “What am I?” but, “What is Christ?” When we come to Jesus in His name, we wholly identify with Him and are accepted in the beloved. Our security as believers is established upon a foundation that nothing can move. It is our happy privilege to be able, in the confidence of faith, to refer every objection, and every objector, to Christ, and His finished work of atonement.

This is why we strive not to walk in carnality, because it displays enmity against divine truth! This is what happened to Cain. “He was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” That which filled Abel with peace, filled Cain with wrath. Cain in unbelief, despised the only way in which a sinner could come to God.

He refused to offer blood, without which there can be no remission; and, then, because he was not received, in his sins, and because Abel was accepted, in his gift, “he was wroth, and his countenance fell,” and Cain, being rejected, manifests the fruit of a corrupt religion. He then persecutes and murders the true witness, Abel, the one who was accepted and justified. The man of faith, and, in so doing, he stands as the model and forerunner of all false religionists, in every age. (1Jn. 3:11-12) “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”

My brothers and sisters, what blows my mind is that God gave Cain a chance to get it right! He comes to Cain with a merciful plea, “If thou doest well, (or, if thou offer correctly,) shalt thou not be accepted?”

Even today, such are “the way of Cain” in which many are, at this very moment, living their lives. Many people are not, by any means, divested of the religious element in their character. They choose to offer something to God; to do something for Him. They perceive in their own minds what is right to present to Him based on their own efforts. They are ignorant of themselves, ignorant of God; yet they pursue diligently efforts to improve the world; to make life better in diverse ways! Unfortunately, God’s remedy to cleanse is rejected, and man’s effort to improve is put in its place. This is “the way of Cain,“ noted in the epistle Jude 11.

My brothers and sisters, in summation, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. “Will You Please Just Give Jesus What He Request?” Please strive to have a “Jesus Day”