The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 4:3-7, “So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.
4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;
5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
7 “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

The LORD’s contention with Cain is much like His contention with mankind today. Had Cain offered what Abel offered, there would have been no problem. If we were committed to Him like Abel was, the problems we face would be obliterated in a flash!

The first mention of “sin” in the Bible occurs in Genesis 4:7, and it has been “crouching at the door” of all mankind ever since. Incidentally, the word sin occurs over 800 times throughout the whole of Scripture!

Despite the various Hebrew and Greek words that translate as “sin,” it all boils down to mankind being disobedient to God. You and I might not think of some things that are called “sin” as being transgressive; however, we are not in the position to make that call. Whatever God calls “sin” is sin!

Parents often establish curfews for their children. (I lived under one and survived.) The child may not agree, but the call is the responsibility of the parents. In my case, there was a specific time that I was to be home at night. When I missed the time, I suffered punishment. It’s something like that with God –only He is far more authoritative than any parent!

But, how do we know what the LORD’s will is? Is it the same for everyone? What is the punishment for disobeying God’s will? We are told in the above passage that “sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is for (us), but (we) must master it.”

Sin is spiritual poison! We all have it in our lives. It is death! The antidote that eradicates death, is the Blood of Jesus Christ. He poured out His life’s blood on the Cross; and He did it to forgive our sin. Confessing our sin to Him and asking Him to forgive us is what it takes to become a true Christian. If you haven’t done that, you can do it right now. Just ask the LORD in prayer to forgive you. Trust Him to be true to His Word. He will help you to know what life truly is! You are in my prayers.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom