Text: Genesis 4:1-26
This chapter describes a horrifying event in the first generation after Adam and Eve’s sin. Their sons, Cain and Abel, came to Yahweh in worship, each brother bringing an offering. Cain brought some of his grain harvest, something of his work given to God so that God would accept him. Cain’s self-trust in his own effort was unacceptable, so God rejected his offering. Abel knew he had nothing to give, that he only deserved death, so he brought the animal substitute that God required.
He was trusting God’s provision, and not his own work, to make him acceptable, and he was accepted. Cain was driven by anger and envy, so, he killed Abel.
From where did Cain get these dark, murderous emotions? They were inherited from his parents, whose sin nature came to all humanity (Rom.5:12). The reason Abel acted differently is because he was a converted man, transformed in heart, mind, and life. As a result, he understood what Yahweh wanted. Abel trusted God’s provision and not his own. Likewise, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves acceptable to God. Our nature and deeds are offensive to God and deserve condemnation. If you understand, as Abel did, that you need a Saviour, it is because God has transformed you, your mind understands, and you love God’s provision – Jesus Christ, and you trust Him. By God’s grace, live a transformed life of loving, grateful obedience.
Meditate on verse 7. How are you going to respond to it?
Heavenly Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, in the name of Jesus Christ, enable me to defeat sin. Amen.