Genesis 4:1-10
In this sobering account of the first brothers – Cain and Abel – we learn several things. The reason God had no regard for Cain and his offering was because of the condition of his heart. Abel’s offering was full toward God and life. Cain’s heart offering was self-absorbed, envious, and angry. This IS the fallen nature of man that lives within all of us. We are born into it.
Here we are given two options. 1) Give heart offerings that are grateful and honoring – OR 2) provide offerings to God which are tainted (or smothered) by anger and self-absorption.
The Lord GOD gave Cain a choice (which is the real point of these offerings). Have your heart join together with honor and reject dishonor.
“Then the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance (heart) be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” To “master” something means to excercise authority and dominion over it.
This had nothing to do with making a different offering, but was meant to invite Cain (and all people) to exchange dishonor for honor. Dishonor comes from the fallen nature we all share, honor derives from our submitted and redeemed souls. Do you sense any gratitude in Cain? Yet Abel, the honoring and grateful one, was murdered by his brother. So unfair.
While this teaching is intense it is also very instructive about how to live our lives. How does one master sin? Through lifting up the honoring, redemptive work of God given to those who believe in Him.
From this thread:
√ We are made in the image of God
√ We are born with a fallen nature
√ Sin will always be crouching at the door
√ Jesus alone will master our sin through His work in our hearts and minds
√ The roots of sin run much deeper than physical impurity
So – how do we master sin? We can’t. But by returning to the honor of our Creator that our human parents rejected we can find God’s power over our sin. This involves several things:
√ Humility of heart frees us to contemplate God
√ Understanding the non-religious power and purpose of the Kingdom Gospel
√ Belief that our Master Jesus will master our sin through honorable connection to Him
√ We must reject practicing sin and pursue the righteousness of our King (1 John)
It is that simple! (ha ha)
Dave and Burnadette
More:
When My Heart Sings