“Sin lies at the door” (Gen. 4:7 NKJ).
Here is another verse that has great potential for personal encouragement. The Lord is speaking to Cain and describing two conditions to him: 1) what happens if he does well (acceptance), and 2) what happens if he does not do well (a chance to make amends).
The usual interpretation of this verse is that sin is like a ravenous animal at the door ready to pounce on and devour the one who sins. But that is not what God is really saying here.
Without getting too technical with the language, we can interpret the Hebrew word translated sin chatta’th (khat-tawth’) as a “sin offering” Thus this verse is really extending God’s mercies to cover the failure areas of human life.
What the Lord was saying is: “Cain, if you do well, you will be accepted. If you do not do well, there is still a sin offering available for your reconciliation to Me. You don’t have to go through life hounded by failure feelings, carrying a load of guilt and condemnation, defeated by your sins. There is a sin offering. Forgiveness can be yours. Reconciliation is to be preferred to alienation.”
We do not have to go through life carrying the sin load. Jesus is our sin offering. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13 NKJ).
This is good news for all of us. Doing good is great. Not doing good is tragic. But even then a way out has been provided. A sin offering is available. (Jesus bore our sins to free us from bondage to sin.) Call on the Lord and He will deliver you once and for all from guilt and condemnation (Rom. 10:13).
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.