Cain: Proud Rebellion

Children can be difficult in a sinful world. Freedom of choice and autonomy can be both beautiful or awful, depending on what is done with it. Have you ever seen a child who will not listen to or respect their parents, but rather exercises their freedom to willfully disrespect and defy the authority of their parents? How does it make you feel? How would you respond? This is what we see in the first children of Adam and Eve, in the story of Cain and Abel.

After the fall, God instituted a sacrificial offering to point forward to the death of Jesus as a sacrifice for their sins. God desired Cain and Abel to show their faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus by participating in this offering of a lamb. Abel submitted to what God desired and required, gratefully accepting the sacrifice, and he was accepted by God. Cain on the other hand, felt no need for an atonement, and desired to give God the works of his own hands, to willfully disregard what God desired and required, and do his own thing instead. God was not happy about this, and talked to Cain about it. God was not being arbitrary, but Cain was a sinner and could not be accepted without the blood of Christ. God tried to reason with Cain, but it only made him more determined and angry. In his anger and rebellion he slew his brother, not because Abel did anything wrong, but because Cain’s own wickedness was exposed in contrast to Abel’s righteousness. Even after this, Cain did not repent and turn to God, but left the presence of God and lived a life of sin.

There is a very pertinent lesson to be learned here: pride goes before a fall. If Cain had submitted to God and humbly accepted His requirements like Abel, he too would have been accepted; but Cain thought he knew better than God, that he was good enough, and that God needed to change, not him. He indulged a spirit of defiance, and it produced a harvest of sin and evil in his life that led to a whole generation of wicked people. When we allow ourselves to be proud, arrogant, defiant, or willful, we too are in danger of hurting those around us and separating ourselves from God. Instead we need to confess those unholy sentiments and draw close to God, humbly accepting His way. He can change our hearts and accept us because of Jesus. Even if we have messed up, He does not condemn us, but seeks to reason with us and draw us to repentance. Let’s not follow the example of Cain; let’s not let sin overtake us.Instead let’s be meek and lowly, like Abel and like Jesus. Will you come humbly to God and submit to His way today? Will you let Jesus be your offering?

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