Unfathomable Grace

Consider Cain’s blessing.

God had blessed Cain by creating him in God’s own image and likeness.

God had also blessed Cain by allowing him to be raised by believers. Adam and Eve were not sinless, but neither were they followers of Lucifer. God had redeemed them. God owned them. They and God were tight.

God further blessed Cain by instructing him in the proper way of worship. God sacrificed an animal for Adam and Eve. Then, somewhere and somehow, God communicated to his covenant family how he would have them enjoy and glorify him.

God then further blessed Cain by allowing him to thrive in his vocation. As a farmer, he became quite fruitful on God’s cursed planet.

Consider Cain’s sin.

One day, Cain sinned in his worship. Perhaps the problem was his sacrifice. Perhaps the problem was himself — the sacrificer. Most likely it was both. Either way, at this particular worship service, God was not pleased with Cain and his sacrifice; he did not accept Cain’s offering.

On that day, Cain further sinned in his response. He became displeased with God’s displeasure. He became jealous, envious, angry, bitter, and hateful towards his brother — Abel — whose sacrifice was accepted by the Lord.

Consider God’s continued grace.

Despite Cain’s sinful worship and pitiful response, God further graced him. As the Lord had pursued Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, so God sought out Cain. Compassionately and mercifully God encouraged his rebellious worshiper:

“Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7)

God graciously asked him questions.

God graciously addressed his emotional state.

God graciously pointed out his “fallen” condition.

God graciously highlighted his danger. Sin was crouching at the door. It was like a venomous snake or roaring lion. And it had hostile intentions as it readied itself to pounce, master, and devour.

God then graciously encouraged Cain to make the next right decision. He was to do something. Cain would either master sin, or sin would master him.

Consider Cain’s continued sin.

Sadly, Cain was unimpressed by the grace of God. He did not handle well God’s encouraging instruction. On that day, Cain left God’s presence proud and angry. He grew further vindictive and violent. Ultimately, he proved to be a murderous hellion like his father the devil. Crouching sin, it ate him alive. Crouching sin, it mastered him.

Friends, can we hear the voice of God?

God sees our folly, he sees our false worship, and still he comes our way. And he is not coming with words of condemnation. Instead, he has encouraging words for us. Listen, can’t you hear him say, “Sin is contrary to you. It is crouching at your door. It is incredibly dangerous, and it must be mastered?” He says this not to harm us but to help us. His words are serious. His words are sweet. His words are gracious.

So, are we motivated?

Today, as we walk in the free grace of the Gospel, let us not discount the grace of the Law, let us not discount the danger of sin, and let us not discount the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s relax in the Gospel-work of Jesus Christ. He has paid for all our transgressions. He has provided all the righteousness we will ever need — our cup runs over. God is not angry with us for he sees us in union with his Beloved Son. Though we be like Cain, we are treated like Christ. This is Good News. This is free gift. This is Gospel truth. Relax and rejoice!

Let’s relish the grace of God’s Law. His commandments are wise and beneficial. Happy is the person who learns, loves, and lives in accordance with God’s good counsel.

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us wisely and richly loathe sin. It is not cute. It is not manageable. The teeth of sin leaves scars in some and eats others alive. Ask for more godly hatred. This would be a blessing from our Lord.

Finally, let’s recommit to walking with the Spirit and seeing how he chooses to grant us success in mastering sin. The Holy Spirit has power to change our affections and actions. Perhaps we need to fight. Perhaps we need to flee. Perhaps we need to separate. Perhaps we need to cut things off. But let’s pray for and plan on ever-growing success in our daily worship as our New Master masters our old master.