Greetings Christ Church Missoula!
Grace to you and Peace!
“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:7
This is not works-righteousness but rather an admonition to value what God values, to love what God loves, and in particular to value and love God Himself over all things. In the previous verses, this love for God is expressed in worship. Cain is a tiller of the ground, and the text says he brings an offering to God. Abel is a sheepherder, and he also brings an offering. However, the text adds that Abel’s offering was of the firstborn and of the fat. We learn elsewhere in Scripture that Cain’s offering was wicked (I John 3:12) and that Abel’s was righteous (Hebrews 11:4). What’s going on?
The difference is in their love for God. Abel’s offering was in accordance with the law of Moses even though he offered it 2500 years before Moses. Why was the law given? To teach His people how to love God and love one another. The implication is that Abel brought the best he had to God because he loved Him. It’s like taking the time and effort to create a wonderful meal for someone you love and are excited about having over for dinner. You want everything to be perfect for them.
The implication of Cain’s offering, on the other hand, was that it was whatever he had on hand and even the worst of what he had. It’s like saving all the good food for yourself and serving the wilted lettuce, moldy bread, and food you dropped on the floor for someone whom you really didn’t want to make dinner for anyway. This sin of Cain and the faithfulness of Abel is seen over and over again in the life of Israel. (See Malachi 1:8)
God wants us to love Him. We either love Him like Abel or we love the world like Cain. This love of God is revealed in how we value and engage in worship. God wants us to value worship as an expression of love for Him. When we do, we rule over sin. They are inversely proportional. An indication that sin is gaining the upper hand in our lives is a lack-luster attitude toward worship. On the other hand, highly valuing worship, preparing for it, and looking forward to it is an indication that you are ruling over sin.
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn