We know the source of all things. We know also that all things work together for good for God's sons and that God has always governed history and will continue to guide history until every victorious saint has inherited the works of God's hands. By faith we know this to be true.

The servant of the Lord is "blind" and "deaf" to the forms and fashions of the world. By faith he sees what actually is true. Truth does not tell us that a certain thing of a particular color, weighing a certain amount, is at a particular place at a certain time. This is not truth. They only are facts. Truth tells us what facts mean, what their significance is. Christ is Truth and the only Truth.

Faith as the Basis of Acceptable Religious Service

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)

As we understand it, Cain's offering was not rejected because it was a grain offering and not a sacrifice of blood. The Scripture does not state this. There is no record that the offerings made by Cain and Abel were sin offerings and required blood to make an atonement. Grain offerings were acceptable under the Levitical law as a firstfruits of the field.

And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the Lord, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears. (Leviticus 2:14)

The Bible states that Abel's offering was more excellent because of his faith.

God never has accepted any religious service in which the heart of the worshiper was not full of faith toward God. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament stress that God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.

There was no problem with the Law of Moses itself. The problem arose when the Jews did not add faith to their service. Obedience to the Law became a ritual that was observed while the heart was far from God.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2)

In the days of Christ, men loved the highest places in the Temple. A young man could say he owed his service to God and then not do anything for his parents. Herbs were tithed but justice, mercy, and faith were neglected. A woman caught in adultery was stoned without understanding or compassion.

The Pharisees kept the letter of the Law but their heart was far from God. David ate the showbread and kept the Ark away from the remainder of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. These two actions were contrary to the Law of Moses. But David is revered as a man after the Lord's heart and the "father" of Christ.

To be continued.