At the Door

6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” – Genesis 4:6-7

There is something in us that wishes us harm. To choose against it requires a disciplined and immovable soul. In Genesis, we see God speaking of the nature of man to Cain who, crushing his humility, reacts against the wisdom of God becoming the first documented murderer. Looking back in hindsight, I would assume Cain would choose differently. Yet, when the other nature of man overwhelms us, the competition between flesh and spirit is lost.

Sin is always at the door. No matter how deep your prayer life or how many verses you memorize, you are one open door away from complete moral ruin. While defeating sin, Jesus leverages it for His glory and our spiritual refinement. If we are always so close to offense, we have no other choice but to lean into Him as our only route towards holiness. If He doesn’t empower us, we are lost. If He doesn’t embolden us to live differently, we are crushed. When our Lord says “follow me”, it is a daily, moment to moment sprint towards His ways and an unpopular death to our own.

May your sin draw you closer to Christ today. May He protect you from the hollow promises of the grave.