Don't Be Blinded by Sin!

Genesis 4:1-5 New International Version

Cain and Abel 4 Adam[a] made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.[b] She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth[c] a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Monday - June 7

Read this passage very carefully. Why? In this passage God favored Abel’s sacrifice. We do not know why! Many people think they know, but this passage simply does not tell us. What is important is Cain’s reaction. He resents God and his brother. In other words, he judges God. Cain decides that God is unjust and unfair. He has set himself up as God. And that never ends well! The sin that lives in Cain’s heart has blinded him. Cain thinks that the human relationship with God is something that we “buy” with sacrifices and good works. He believes that he did “better” than his brother, but God favored his brother instead of him. The why does not really matter. The issue is Cain’s sinful, blind, rebellious heart. Like Cain, we are blinded by sin if we think we can earn God’s grace and favor that comes as a free gift!