December 18, 2020

Dec 18, 2020    Brian Pilon

Genesis 4:2b-7
2b Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door: it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

In verse 7 the picture of sin at the door is like a wild animal waiting to pounce on its prey. I was watching a Discovery Channel episode where two men are hiking through the wild in Africa, approximately 600 miles to get to their destination. They encounter leopards, lions, hippos, elephants, alligators and more. They have to be aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid certain areas, such as larger water crossings, all together. These men may be considered prey at any time to certain wild life. Sin desires to have us just as if we were prey in the wild. Many times it seems as though we try to master sin, but usually fail. If you are like me, I fail to keep my mouth shut when I should, or open it when I shouldn’t, I fail to act on something I should, and act on things I shouldn’t, and am constantly giving in to sin. However, God’s word tells us that sin is right there waiting for us – crouching at the door, but how do we master it?

1 Timothy 1:15-17
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We cannot master sin, but Christ Jesus has come to save all sinners, no matter how terrible you think your sin is. The “crouching tiger” of sin will overcome us all, but we can be thankful for the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord and savior, King of kings, this Christmas season. Believe in Him and receive eternal life.

Brian Pilon