Genesis 4:6-7a “And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door […]”
Although God did not accept Cain’s offering, He took the time to talk to Cain. He did not leave him to his darkness, but reasoned with him and warned him of the danger of his course. What an amazing, merciful and gracious God! What privilege, and what opportunity He gives to every proud and wayward sinner!
As usual, God doesn’t arrive making accusations, (accusing is Satan’s business, see Revelation 12:10) but rather asking questions. This is such a wise way to deal with people! If everyone adopted such an approach, many misunderstandings would be resolved and there would be far less strife among us.
Of course, unlike us, God is not asking because he doesn’t know, rather the questioning is an opportunity for review and self-analysis. “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” You need to check yourself, and see where you have failed to do the right thing.
Well-doing neither wins nor buys salvation, but it is an inseparable component of the salvation package. Contrary to popular “Christian” theology, God rhetorical question to Cain teaches that well-doing is a condition of divine acceptance, and that neglect of right-doing means that sin is at your doorstep (James 4:17). Once sin is entertained at such proximity, it doesn’t wait around or knock politely! It comes bursting in, whether it forces the door, or floods under the crack at the bottom.
The story of Cain shows us that well-doing becomes impossible when we reject the lamb, Jesus Christ. Jesus is at your door and sin is at your door. Unlike sin, Jesus won’t come in unless you open the door for him (Revelation 3:20). But if Jesus reigns in your life, His right doing will be yours, and He will keep your door. If you continually open your heart to Him, there will be no space for sin or Satan, and Christ’s victory will be yours. Why don’t you invite Jesus into your heart just now?
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