DAY 19—Cain did not overcome sin because he allowed jealousy to rule him.

 

What was in Cain by nature led to his becoming a murderer. His parents had become partakers of what the serpent offered them. This they passed on to their children. However, a Word from the Lord came to Cain offering him the way whereby he might overcome the sin encroaching upon him. God said to him: If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door (sin is crouching at your door like a tiger) And unto thee shall be his (its) desire, and thou shalt rule over him (it)—Genesis 4:7. The interpretation from the New International Reader’s Version is interesting, and is probably closer to what it should mean. Do what is right. Then you will be accepted. If you don’t do what is right, sin is waiting at your door to grab you. It longs to have you. But you must rule over it.

I John 3:11-14—For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. (The seed of jealousy was in the nature of the wicked one and led to Cain’s downfall.) Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto Life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

DEAR LORD, I am looking to You to help me overcome the things that cause me to look down on, and despise, other people. Even if it’s people in the world who hate me, help me demonstrate Your love toward them. I know You died for them just as You died for me.

Our souls can be made pure by obedience to the Truth.—I Peter 1:22,23

 

 

 

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