Cain became "resentful and crestfallen" because Abel's offering was accepted by the Lord but Cain's offering was not (Gn 4:5-6). Then the Lord intervened and called Cain to repentance. He warned Cain: "Sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master" (Gn 4:7). Cain refused to listen to the Lord and proceeded to commit the first murder (Gn 4:8).
When we sin, the Lord in His mercy intervenes. Unless we listen to Him and jump off the bandwagon of sin, it will take us to places where we don't want to be, to people we will regret being with, and to sins we never thought we'd commit. The runaway train of sin will eventually lead us to death, damnation, and hell (see Rm 6:23).
Obviously, we should never get into the vehicle named "sin." But if we do sin, we must jump out of sin by accepting God's grace to repent, forgive, and confess our sins as soon as possible. Therefore:
"Sin is a demon lurking at the door" (Gn 4:7). Sin is a cancer which will spread and kill you unless you repent of all of it as quickly as possible. Repent and be sin's master (Gn 4:7).
| PRAYER: | Father, impress on me my need for frequent Confession. |
| PROMISE: | " 'God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,' she said, 'because Cain slew him.' " –Gn 4:25 |
| PRAISE: | Ron burned his pornographic magazines and gave his life to Jesus. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College