HANDLING OUR SINS BEFORE GOD

Right after Cain killed his brother, Abel, because of setting God aside from his life, the following events occurred: "'Afterward the Lord asked Cain, Where is your brother? Where is Abel?' 'I don't know,' Cain responded. 'Am I my brother's guardian?' But the Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground! Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother's blood. No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth'" (Genesis 4:9-12). The downward spiral in Cain's life began when he ignored God's ways and gave in to the desire of his sinful nature. There is one thing about sin in this world: it is attracted to our self, and this is the reason we struggle with it. The more we give into it, the more it will control us. Eventually, we will hate the ways of God. God approached Cain and asked him a question about his brother after Cain had killed him. This was an opportunity for Cain to confess his actions, but instead, Cain refused to admit his sin and lied about what he had done. As a result, God revealed his sin and judged him. His sin resulted in him becoming a homeless wanderer on the earth. He would no longer be successful as a farmer. Cain settled in the land of Nod and started his family, but his life and his descendants struggled with all kinds of sin, which ultimately were destroyed during the great flood in Noah's time. 

Like his parents, Adam and Eve, Cain did not confess his sins to God but tried to hide them. God had to reveal their sins. Hebrews 4:13 says, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." We can hide our sin from others, but we can never hide our sins from God. It is useless to hide our sins because He can see all of our sins, and he has the power to reveal them openly where everybody can see. We should confess our sins directly to God and repent from our sin by correcting it and beginning to do what is right. We cannot stay in sin because it will only consume us deeper into it. Cain suffered the consequences of his sins, and so we will if we do not change from our sinful ways. God's ways always lead to righteousness and life. God wants us to choose life. He doesn't want us to destroy our lives because of sin. 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

Let us walk in the light of Christ today. Let us be quick to confess our sins to God, instead of justifying them. The worst thing that we can do to our sins is to hide them. God desires that we confess our sins to Him and repent instead of hiding from them and continuing to live in them.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Can I hide my sins from God? What should I do when I sin? How should I live my life? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for reminding me this morning that I can never hide my sins from you. I confess all my sins to you. Please help me not to allow sin to control my mind and my heart today. Thank you for your grace, mercy, and love, for I can always find forgiveness in you. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.