Sin is Always Against God

Scripture: For this is the message that you heard from the beginning: We should love one another, not like Cain, who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s works were righteous. 1 John 3:11-12

Observation: The lesson of Cain has more to it than the fact that Cain killed Abel because God accepted Abel's offering. It is true that both presented offerings, and God selected Abel's. However, God did not accept Abel instead of Cain, or over Cain, or as simply preferable to Cain. God rejected Cain's offering because it was substandard. Cain's offering was not a sincere offering to the Lord, but rather comprised of his leftovers, and thus God rejected Cain's offering.

Thus, there are two parts to the "Cain killed Abel" narrative. It is only the second part of the narrative that says Cain killed Abel because he was jealous of his brother. However, as John points out, the first part of the narrative is that Cain killed Abel because he himself was evil. And by this he clearly means Cain was living a life in opposition to God. John takes this to its logical conclusion - that if you love one another, and thus do not sin against each other, it is a sign that you are not sinning against God.

Application: As I read the other day, sin is so wrong not because it hurts others, but because sin is an act in direct opposition to God. I don't sin against other people, or against society, or against the world ... I sin against God when I disobey his instructions or violate natural moral truth.

If I am failing to love others, it is a sign that I am sinning against God in my life. My lack of humility, impatience, and anger toward other is the human manifestation of my failure to obey God's will in my life.

And what would God have me do? To seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with him every day.

Prayer: Lord, may I do these three things, and only these three things, this and every day. May I renew my call to serve you in this land, in this place and time, in a manner that advances your purposes and not my own. I know I am blessed to be a blessing. May I have the strength, patience, endurance, and love to live into that call. Amen.