Victim, but responsible

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Victim, but responsible

The Lord said to Cain : “Why are you angry and why do you look gloomy ? Certainly, if you do the right thing, you will get up. If, on the other hand, you act badly, sin is lying at the door and its desires are directed towards you, but it is up to you to rule over it." Genesis 4.6-7

The story of Cain and Abel is an unprecedented family drama. Abel is the first dead man in universal history, and Cain is his first murderer. However, God had warned Cain against the sin that stood watch at his door. The sin ? Cain didn't believe it, he didn't take God seriously, and the tragedy happened. Cain and Abel are the first to inherit sin at birth. They did not ask for this inheritance ! Cain did not invite the sin monster to lie down at his door. Is Cain a victim ? Yes, but Abel is even more so, let's not forget. Cain is somewhat of a willing victim since he did not follow God's advice to defeat the monster of sin. He is both victim and actor of the murderous violence that has gripped him.

Cain, the firstborn of sinful humanity, invites us to be vigilant. Sin exists and its desires can lead us to do what we do not want. Let us let go of all anger and jealousy and learn to do good as God advises us (Isaiah 1:17). Sin is not a myth, but a drama from which God delivers us through the death of his Son Jesus.

Alain Monclair

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Proposed reading : Book of Genesis, chapter 3, verses 1 to 5.

Source (Live Today)