Cain and Abel were brothers. They were an example to all of us that siblings raised in a godly home do not necessarily guarantee all the children will behave in a spiritual manner. This text demonstrates a conviction of the heart versus the incident of the intellect. Feeling is not faith nor is knowledge faith. Were this the case, salvation would be strictly man’s creation. Instead, faith is an imperishable principal as a thing of today and not tomorrow . From God’s plan of redemption Cain and Abel represent sentiment in one’s mind versus faith in one’s Savior.
There could be no doubt that Adam told his sons about the necessity of shedding blood so that their nakedness could be covered by animal skin. As a result, Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable to God since it was offered in faith. Cain’s sacrifice was from the fruit of his own efforts which made it without faith. (Hebrews 11:4) This situation is in stark contrast today. One person’s form of worship is in faith based on Jesus. God did not show preference between the two men. He showed preference between the two offerings. The carnal mind is akin to Cain’s actions because he came in unbelief and developed wrath since his offering was rejected.
Rejected religion is a corrupt religion which persecutes the holder of faith throughout history. Cain is a model and forerunner of all false religions in every age. More trauma has been brought upon mankind through a perverse religion even though it may be called Christianity. His anger had no valid basis. Scripture says that Cain and Abel talked but we do not know the subject of that conversation. We do know that when they were in the field Cain slew Abel which is the same in our lifetime of today’s Cains persecuting Abel. A good example is in our news of the slaughter by the terrorists that have brought persecution upon Christians in Nigeria.
Through self-induced ignorance, Cain declared that his sin was too great to be pardoned. He demonstrated the terrible fruit from the fall of Adam since he did not repent. Cain had no connection to his own condition nor any desire to seek God as all sinners must have in their approach to salvation. False worshipers do not lack a desire for the religious element in their character. They would prefer to provide a token of their own creation, thinking that will satisfy or justify their lostness. False worshipers are ignorant of themselves as well as ignorant of God. Jude 11 calls this the “way of Cain.” Man is not without religion. It is one for himself and his temporal interests.
Cain tried to excuse himself and challenge God at the same time by asking, “am I my brother’s keeper?” Notice that God did not answer the question. Most people generalize this question to that of kindness in religion. I suggested we can only be our brother’s keeper if our brother is in the family of God. There is a dynamic difference between how we should treat the unfaithful versus how we should treat brothers of the faith. We must be careful how our witness is demonstrated to those of the world. However, there are limits as to how much we can be their keepers without the Holy Spirit operating in both lives. Cain went forth to build cities. Abel went forth to the kingdom of God. Which is the better choice?
Christian Writer 