August 14, 2024
Cain and Abel -- Part 3
Genesis 4:6-7
08/14/2024
6 The LORD said to Cain, ``Why are you angry, and
why has your face fallen?
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if
you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.
Its desire is for you, but you must rule over
it.'' (ESV)
Modern humans are no different than our earliest ancestors.
We quickly blame others for our own shortcomings. Cain was angry
that his sacrifice was not accepted by God, not that he hoped to
be accepted for only going through the external motions.
Sacrifices require faith, something that Cain lacked.
The LORD said to Cain, ``Why are you angry, and why has
your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be
accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching
at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule
over it.''
Here we see the progression from a lack of faith to overt
sin. Cain became jealous of Abel's faith. Rather than repent,
rather than taking heed to God's desires, Cain decided to ignore
the truth that faithlessness and pride are sins which may lead to
additional sins.
Certainly we are not going to murder someone of whom we are
jealous. That does not, however, mean that we may not harm them
in some other way. The desires of our hearts result in action.
``Sin's desire is for you, but you must rule over it.'' That
warning is valid today as well. What can we do to overcome the
temptation to sin? Trust in God's promises, hold firmly to His
Word, and know that the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh
have been defeated by the suffering, death, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
Can we overcome all temptations? No, but we desire to fight
against them, to seek first God's grace, and to respond to our
neighbors, even those with whom we may be angry, with love and
respect.
May our Lord give us the strength of faith to trust in Him.
Amen.