Why does God not accept the works of our hands for salvation?

God's refusal to accept the works of our hands for salvation reflects His supreme holiness and justice. In the story of Cain and Abel, God rejected Cain's offering, which was based on human effort, but accepted Abel's offering, which was a sacrificial lamb. This incident illustrates that God demands a sacrifice that points to Christ, the ultimate Lamb, rather than works that are tainted by sin. As reflected in Judges 7, the reduction of Gideon's army demonstrates that victory and salvation come from God alone, emphasizing that human effort cannot contribute to our salvation. God's criteria for acceptance center on His grace and the work of Christ, making it clear that we can earn nothing by our deeds.