Don’t Do It…

Don't Do It…

Don't Love Like Cain

The Way of Cain

Cain loved—but Cain loved what Cain loved, not what God loved. That is the heart of his rebellion. He wanted God to affirm him, accept him, and applaud him in his own way. And when God would not bend, Cain lashed out at the one God did accept.

Cain could not harm God, so he turned on Abel, the one who trusted God and walked in His ways. This is the way of Cain: when God's truth exposes our unbelief, the flesh seeks to silence, resist, or even destroy those who stand with God.

"And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous."
—1 John 3:12

The way of Cain is not unbelief in theory—it is unbelief in action. It demands that God trust me instead of me trusting God.

The Contrast of Abel

Abel's offering was not about what he loved, but about what God loved. Abel trusted God at His word. He aligned his heart with the Father's desire. And God testified that Abel's offering was righteous (Hebrews 11:4).

The contrast is clear:
• Abel trusted God.
• Cain wanted God to trust him.

That is the difference between faith and unbelief. Faith says, "You are God, and I am not." Unbelief says, "Take me as I am, bend Your desires to my desires, and let me be god over my life."

Jesus and the Love of the Father

Jesus is the perfect picture of the opposite of Cain. Jesus loved what the Father loved. Every decision, every step, every act of obedience flowed from His trust in the Father.

"I always do those things that please Him."
—John 8:29

And Jesus calls His children to love in the same way:
• Not according to self-interest.
• Not demanding God to bend.
• But laying down our lives, desires, an