Some have taught that Cain's sacrifice was not acceptable because it was not a blood sacrifice. The Scriptures teach that Cain's sacrifice was not accepted because it was not offered in faith. Cain had jealousy and murder in his heart. God will accept a firstfruits of the grain harvest, but not if the heart is not right.

How many believers perform their religious duties but their hearts are far from God? The Pharisees strove to be technically correct in doctrine and duty but they had little faith in God. Their hearts were not lifted up to God in faith.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5)

On what basis was Enoch translated? He was translated because he walked with God all day long for hundreds of years. Why did Enoch seek God with such diligence and intensity? He did so because his heart was full of faith toward God. Enoch believed that all that is worthwhile is to be found in the Presence of God. The righteous Enoch lived by faith, meaning God was in all his thoughts.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The first step in salvation is to believe there is a God. The author at one time found it difficult to believe in the existence of God. He prayed for faith to believe there is a God, and God gave him what he requested.

The second step is to believe it is God who has sent Christ ("ye believe in God, believe also in me").

The third step in salvation is to seek God in Christ with diligence for the remainder of one's life on the earth. This is what it means to "live by faith." Living "by faith" has nothing to do with not working and trusting that people will give us money. To our knowledge, this application of the phrase is not scriptural.

Living "by faith" means we have an assurance deep in ourselves that if we seek God continually our needs and desires will be given to us. We will be rewarded. It is not the superficial "volleyball game" being played with God today: "I will fast, and God will give me power"; "I will give money and God will give it back to me with interest"; "I will abide in Christ and therefore God will answer my prayers"; and so on and on in this disgusting, self-centered fashion.

The quest for God indeed is rewarding. Soon we are absorbed in God Himself. He is the end of our quest. Christ Himself is the Goal, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Resurrection. Christ is Salvation. He is our Sanctification, our Wisdom, our Strength, our Joy. When we attempt to use the Lord Jesus to "get" something we miss the point. We trade God for the gifts of God, and that is an unwise, shortsighted trade.

To be continued.