Genesis 4:7-8 records the question that God has for Cain. God’s question to Cain was “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?”
On the surface, this question can be mistakenly understood that by works one could gain the acceptance of God. The context in which God is asking Cain this question is not in the context of “acceptance by works (doing well)” but in the context of doing well to not let sin rule over him. God tells Cain that sin lay at the door (of his life) and he had to do well (right) to not let sin in, for it would rule over him if he let it in. Cain refuses to listen to God and ends up committing the first murder, slaying his very own brother Abel.
Points to ponder:
It is not by our works that God accepts us. It is only by grace and grace alone and not by our works, that God accepts us in his beloved (Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). Instead of letting sin that is at the door of our life in to rule over us, we need to let The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in, to rule over us. Jesus said, Behold, he is standing at the door of our life, knocking and wanting to come in and commune (dine) with us (Revelation 3:20).
If we let sin in, we don’t do well and we will be rejected.
If we let the Savior Jesus Christ in, we do well and we will be accepted.
Do you do well? Am I doing well?
Genesis 4:7-8 (KJV)
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
