No work pleases God the Lord—though it be as big and grandiose as it may wish—unless the person who does it is pleasing to God, just as it is described in Gen. 4:5: God looked graciously on Abel and his offering; namely, because it was brought to God through faith and in faith, just as it is explained in Heb. 11:4. Through this faith, Abel was reconciled with God and was made acceptable to Him. However, God did not accept Cain and his offering; namely, because it was offered there without faith and the person was not reconciled with God the Lord. The works which will please God the Lord have to flow forth from the Spirit of fellowship. For those whom God the Lord has not yet received as His beloved children, their works are unable to please Him. (Schola Pietatus-Volume 1 by Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, p. 15)