Genesis 4:1–15—The Lord accepted Abel’s sacrifice, but rejected Cain’s. Why? Was it
because Abel offered up an animal sacrifice, whilst Cain offered grain? No, for
that would indicate salvation by some sort of law of good works. Rather, God
saw the intent and condition of each man’s heart. Hebrews 11: 4 tells us, “By
faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which
he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts.” God
accepts us solely based on faith, not our works.
What was lurking in the heart if Cain? Resentment?
Envy? False Pride?
The LORD warns him, “Sin is crouching at the door,
its desire is for you but you must master it.” Why the anger? Why the
downcast face? The same question asked of Cain is asked of his parents Adam and
Eve, “where are you?”
The LORD’s concern is noted. Sin is lying in wait. Sin
is defined as a predator lurking its pray, ready to pounce at any time. Sin is
always waiting for its next victim; ready to pounce on us and master us. James
warns of the consequences of sin when he teaches, “Then, after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it full-grown, gives birth to
death.” – James 7:10
There
is but one solution to sin – repentance, which leads to absolution in Christ.
Consider Paul’s perspective. “For godly grief produces a repentance that
leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” –
2 Corinthians 7:10
Collect
for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 20: O God, whose almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy
and pity, grant us the fullness of your grace that we may be partakers of your
heavenly treasures; through our LORD Jesus Christ, your Soh, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[1] -19 October 2022
[1]
Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 20, For All the Saints, A Prayer
Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity
Bureau, Delhi, NY
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