“1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

4 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:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why are you angry? and why is your countenance fallen?

7 If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin (a sin offering) lies at the door. And unto you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” Genesis 4:1-8

Persecution against the Saints of God has and will always come from apostate religion. If the preacher is not preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the answer to man’s dilemma and have embraced the commandments of men as biblical doctrine, they are apostate and will persecute those who choose to know nothing else among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

“6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8-9

The Atoning Work of Christ Jesus on Calvary’s Cross was and is the only Sacrifice God will accept. The works of our hands; our talents, intellect, abilities, etc. will always be rejected by God…no matter the sincerity behind the offering. Religion points us to ourselves, who we are and what we have done for the Lord. Grace points us to Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe.

When our faith begins to waver to and fro with every wind of doctrine, the Cross of Christ becomes of no effect and the Grace of God is interrupted at which point many will make the mistake of engaging their willpower and ‘staying the course’ of which they have chosen…not matter the difficulties. Instead of liberty, they are bound. Their yoke is hard and their burden heavy, yet their religion motivates them weekly to stay the course.

“6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why are you angry? and why is your countenance fallen?

7 If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin (a sin offering) lies at the door. And unto you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.” Genesis 4:6-7

Friend, there remains a sin offering at the door knocking. If any man hears His Voice and opens the door, He will come.

“20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My Voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.

22 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.” Revelation 3:20-22

There remains a Sin Offering at the door. How long will you continue tilling the ground of dead works? Come out from among them and be ye separate. There is joy unspeakable in the Cross of Christ; peace beyond all understanding. The answer to life and living is in the Cross of Christ Jesus…be determined to know nothing else.

-Donna Clark Warren