Faith and Assurance ~ Hebrews 11: 1-6

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. This is why the ancients were commended. 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 

In reading Matthew 7:21-29, we need to understand this: Christ here shows that it will not be enough to own him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary to our happiness that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is his will, even our sanctification. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally...MH

In more common terms...if you have always wondered why Cain's offering was not acceptable to God it is because it was given as an offering of his (Cain's) work/doings, not God's work in him... which is of faith. Cain failed to see that God did it all and that everything belonged/belongs to God. Cain's offering was not given in faith but in works. 

If we give everything to God, He will give everything to us. Sadly, in many churches, people give in to 'doings' which means they give to the creation more than they give to the Creator. We need to rest in Him (credit Him) for He is our everything! Abel rested in the Lord which means that he gave credited where credit was due; Abel's assurance was not of himself but his faith in the Lord God. 

That assurance comes by faith = believing in Christ, repenting of sin and living a holy life. Again, it is not by our works that we can believe, repent, live a holy life in the Lord but faith in Christ ...not in works done in this fallen world for doings/works here could never make us right with God.

Remember the man who proclaimed to do so many things in the Lord's name and God said, "I never knew you?" - Matthew 7:23. "We are to love God first and to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength" ~ Mark 12:30.