GOD'S WILL OR SELF WILL PART 2
 
In part one of Genesis chapter 4 I left off with God trying to reason with Cain after his sacrifice was not approved by God. Even though I pointed out that Cain had self will I want to take you back to Cain's early history prior to his sacrifice not being accepted by God. He was probably for the most part just minding his own business just like Abel. This is a very important point. The real emotions came out after both chose to either accept God's way(Abel) or his own way(Cain)-especially on the part of Cain.
 
So there were two times Cain did not listen to God (1),the sacrifice(2),the reasoning from God to Cain. Cain took it upon himself to murder Abel when nobody was looking in private. It is true that Cain was the first murderer; however Abel was the first martyr for God. This would have to be obvious but I have to bring this point out. Abel had no desire to murder Cain. He listened to God and was approved by God because he chose to approach God in the way He was told. The Bible says in John 14:6 that Jesus is the way,truth,and life. If anybody wants to know God they have to go through Jesus Christ. Abel through his obedience to God was content. Let your conversion be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee,nor forsake thee.Heb.13:5. Cain on the other hand had a desire to murder Abel. I'm now talking about the consequences of not coming to God His way. In Cain's mind and heart murder was the only fruit he could bear. The writer of the epistle John 3rd verse 10 says"prating against with malicious words: and not content therewith...."Abel was content in a way somewhat similar to what the 23rd Psalm says "the Lord is my Shepard I shall not want;" however,look at the emotions of Cain.(1) Self will (2)Reluctance of heart (3)Belligerence (4) Anger (5) Murder (6) Fear and (7) cry for mercy.
 
There was two parts to Cain when he responded "Am I my brother's keeper." (1) the fear part of him (2) the technical part). Technically speaking he had his job and Abel had his job. Human logic will almost always try and cover our sin before God because we are scared. It is hard to confess before God. People don't naturally want to do this.
 
To me the story also symbolizes an eternal hell. Think about this. People go to hell everyday. Cain had (1) Self will (2)Reluctance of heart toward God (3) Belligerence (4) Anger (5)murder (6)fear and (7) he found himself crying for mercy. The Bible says in Rev.22:11 "He that is unjust,let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy,let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous,let him be righteous still:and he that is holy,let him be holy still."The first part of this verse describes a person that dies in their sins as they rejected Jesus Christ with a fixed character away from God. They are helpless in their sinful condition for all eternity. The second part of this verse describes the righteous person that approached God his way through Jesus Christ with a holy character that loves God and wants to worship and serve Him for all eternity. Do you see why it is very dangerous to have self will and not come to know the Lord Jesus Christ? There are subsequent consequences of bad emotions and fear ultimately desiring God's mercy but never receiving it. That is a horrible feeling to be in a state of fear and never receive mercy.
 
There was a Gospel track written called " This was your Life."It probably in my opinion won more souls to Jesus Christ than any other track made. In this track the man gets a second chance.You would just have to actually read the track to understand what I am talking about. To throw a little mercy in this story it is possible that Cain may have repented of his sins and approached God His way rather than through his own self will. The Bible is not really specific on this issue. If you are one that is contemplating self will or God's will choose to accept Jesus Christ into your heart. If the verse in Rev.22:11 did not make you think please stop and ponder your eternity destiny. This verse speaks volumes about a person's character for all eternity.
 
Bob D.