“Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain.” Jude verse 11.

Bible says “woe to them to those who have taken the way of Cain. Cain and Abel were the children of our first parents, Adam and Eve. The life and way of Cain are described in Genesis chapter 3 in the Bible. Cain was a tiller of the ground and Abel was a shepherd. They both brought offerings to the LORD God. Abel brought fat portions of one of the firstborns from his flock and Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil. God pleased in Abel’s offering and did not please in Cain’s offering. The reason God delighted in Abel’s offering was that he brought the offerings from the firstborn of his flock. God showed to their parents –Adam and Eve the solution to their sin nature in chapter 3 of the book of Genesis. As a wise young man, he understood the seriousness of sin and the significance of blood to come to the presence of the holy God. Cain did not regard much to this revelation. Cain got upset because God pleased in Abel’s sacrifice. As a result, he got jealous and angry with Abel. God tried to talk him out from his destructive attitudes and ways. You can read all about this incident in Genesis 3.

Now, what is the way of Cain that people still taking even today and the Bible warns us? First of all, God revealed to us the only way to come to Him is by the way of blood, not by works and self-efforts. Bible says in Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” In those olden days, God gave a temporary solution for man’s serious problem of sin that hindered his fellowship and friendship with God. That was the shedding of the blood of an animal for the remission and forgiveness of sins. Now the Bible says in the book of Hebrews, all these animal sacrifices were shadows of the perfect and permanent solution for people’s sin.

These shadows were fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God. Bible says about Jesus Christ in John 1:29, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Jesus Christ is God’s lamb that takes away the sin of the entire world. Not just for a few groups of people, for the whole world.

Now even today after God provided the perfect and permanent solution for people sins by the blood of Christ, people try to please God and get salvation and forgiveness of their sins by their good works. Bible clearly says, no amount of good works can earn our redemption and forgiveness of sins. There is only one way for forgiveness and salvation, and that is the blood of Jesus Christ which is already poured out for our sins. If anyone thinks or imagine and think they can obtain forgiveness and salvation through his or her works, they are trying to please God as Cain did by bringing the fruits from the soil. Cain was trying to please God by bringing the works of his own hands. Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8).

Secondly, the way of Cain is keeping jealousy and hatred in heart and not listening to the loving call of God for repentance. God gave two opportunities to him. First when his heart was filled with jealousy and hatred toward his brother, the LORD came to him and asked why he is angry? If he does good would God not accept him as well. However, if he does not respond to God’s loving call to repentance, sin is like a lion crouching at the door of his life to destroy him. You see, sin is pictured like a lion ready to destroy us. However, Cain won’t listen to the loving call of God for repentance. He went ahead and murdered his brother Abel out when they were in the field. Even after this brutal crime, God appeared to him again and asked: “where is your brother”? God wanted him to admit his crime in repentance so that He can show mercy and grace to Him. Cain hardened his heart again and responded by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” His heart was filled with evil and wickedness and would not listen to the loving-kindness of God. The LORD said “what have you done? Your brother’s blood is crying out from the ground.” Then God had to curse and punish him. He became a wanderer and walked in fear all through his life, and his descendants were also cursed.

Beloved, Let us ask this question. Am I walking in Cain’s way? Did I accept Christ Jesus as my savior – the perfect lamb of God- who takes away the sins of my life? If not, remember there is only one way to God, and that is the way of the blood of Christ for forgiveness and blessings. When we accept God’s lamb, Jesus Christ, God will delight in us. Secondly, am I keeping jealousy and anger in my heart? God come and offer His help so that your heart can become free from envy, resentment and anger. Accept God’s love and grace today and clean the heart. Do you know when God speaks through His word, that is the golden opportunity for our deliverance blessings.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I come to you in prayer and accept Jesus Christ, the savior of the entire world as my savior and Lord. I believe Jesus died, buried and rose again for my sins. Lord, I pray to clean my heart from envy and anger. Bless my heart with your peace and love. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”