The Way of Cain

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. Jude 11

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  Heb 11:4

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. 1 Jn 3:12

The story of Cain gives us insights about how materialism (worldliness) can affect us.  The verses above from the New Testament give us important further commentary from the Holy Spirit.  Jude speaks of some who “have gone in the way of Cain.”  What could it mean?  Lets analyze the way Cain took:

1.    He did not act in faith.  In contrast to his brother Abel, his offering was not acceptable to God.  The details of this are not given.  But as we have learned, faith is the surrender of the will to spiritual conviction, the “evidence of things hoped for.”  Abel trusted God as to the spiritual realm and shaped his offering accordingly, but Cain trusted and indulged HIMSELF and walked in his own way.

2.    When his offering was not accepted, he pouted and brooded.  God says if he will do the right thing, he will feel better.  [Good advice for any of us who are in the dumps, brooding, or depressed...]

3.    He turned his back on repentance and correction. When God challenged him to overcome the sin threatening him, Cain did not listen. He indulged his self-pity and anger and jealousy.

4.    He murdered his brother, who had walked by faith.  John says it is because Cain’s works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.  Sometimes we develop ill will toward faithful brethren because our own behavior is selfish.

5.    He denied responsibility for his brother, and showed his attitude toward God by speaking sarcastically and haughtily.

6.    When God confronts him and disciplines him, he complains about the harshness of his punishment.  “It is greater than I can bear.”  Cain was sorry about the consequences of his sin, about the punishment.  But he was NOT sorry about the sin.

7.    He decided to go on his own. God graciously sets a “mark” [sign] upon him so no one would kill him.  Whatever this might have been [and it did not have to be something visible] God offered it to him as protection.  But Cain “went out from the presence of Jehovah.”  One can’t leave the presence of God geographically.  But you can leave it spiritually.  Cain left the government of God.  He refused the authority of God.  He thought he could make it on his own, independent from the reign and relationship with God.

The “way of Cain” is first dullness to spiritual things - walking in worldliness, indulging self in material things. Then pouting, brooding, jealousy, stubbornness, and other bad attitudes when we don't get enough of them.  When challenged, we neglect, hate, and abuse righteous people, and then whine about God’s justice when he chastens us.  Finally, we may "go out from the presence of Jehovah" to go our own way.  We leave the government of God and think we can make it just fine.

Our main problem in our country is not the economy.  We have raised a couple of generations of Americans who have gone “the way of Cain.”  Today’s young people are reaping the consequences of these selfish and indulgent and materialistic ways.  The harvest is bitter tears, a corrupt society, and degraded culture.

Dying with All the Facts and Figures

 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” I Tim. 6:6-7

Most men and women live out their lives with faith in the material realm only.  They believe firmly in money and “things” and fleshly appetites, and their trust is in other people who deal in money and things and fleshly appetites.  And their time is spent rehearsing the facts and figures that pertain to these material things.

But when such people come to the end, on the brink of death, possessions and all the facts and figures that go with them are really emptiness.  In those last days, facing the great beyond, we are alone – just us and our Maker.  The facts will do us no good.  It is a great pity.  Nothing will be of value then EXCEPT our relationship to HIM!

But what is an even greater pity is that many “Church of Christ” members will come to the grave in a similar shape.  They will have all the facts right.  They will have their “ducks in a row” as far as checking off the “five step plan”.  They will have ties to the church roll and the church building, and maybe even attend the church services and praise the preacher.  But they wont KNOW their Maker!   They have not walked with Him as His humble servant, as His obedient child transformed into HIS character.  They have not shined the light of the glory of Jesus Christ in their daily living.  In other words, they don't really “walk by faith”.

Please note that explaining God’s plan of redemption - giving the correct “formula” for it, quoting book, chapter and verse for it - IS NOT the same thing as experiencing the redemption based on faith in Jesus Christ, and the fellowship with the Father that it brings.  Many men can talk about the basis for salvation, and even debate about it, without entering into the relationship with God in Jesus Christ that transforms the life!  CORRECT VIEWS AND RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS ARE NOT THE SAME THING!

If our religion consists of knowing the right facts and “proving” to others that we know them, we will draw others to the wrong thing!  If they are not drawn by the power of the cross to change lives, evidenced in our “godliness and contentment” - our own humble and holy walk with God, it is not the gospel of Christ!

“A great danger in the church is that the experience of conversion to Christ is relayed in a formula of explanation; other men, learning the formula, suppose they possess the experience.”  [modified from a quote by Jim McGuiggan].