SIN OR SIN-OFFERING. WHICH?
By H. A. St. John
It is recorded in Gen. 4:7 that the Lord said to Cain, “If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” The primary meaning of the word sin is, “the transgression of the law.” Now for the Lord to tell Cain, who was already a transgressor of the law, had already done evil, that transgression had come as near to him as the door, would seem both unnecessary and absurd. We think the word sin is used here as elsewhere in the Scriptures, meaning sin-offering; instance, 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:28. Christ, who knew no sin, transgression, was made sin—a sin-offering for us. And when He comes the second time He comes without sin, that is, without a sin offering. How condescending and merciful on the part of the Lord to counsel with Cain, who was already in transgression. His cherished anger toward his brother, and that, too, without just cause, was incipient murder. It was sin nearer than the door, but in him already, and was revealed by outward act a short time afterward. Cain very well knew that doing well and doing evil were in the matter under consideration, and he deliberately and stubbornly did the evil. In tender mercy the Lord told him that if he did well his service would be accepted just as readily and gladly as the service of Abel or anyone else. And if he did evil a sin-offering, such as would be well-pleasing to God, was accessible, easily accessible, “at the door.” Now if Cain had heeded the Lord’s counsel then and there, he would have penitently presented the sin-offering at hand, and in this way found acceptance with the Lord without delay. The truth in this for us is, First, that God accepts all alike who do well; there is no respecter of persons with God. Secondly, if we have done evil we should ever remember that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is ever as a lamb slain before the throne of God, a sin-offering always and in all places accessible to us—always at our door. Hence we may readily regain and always retain the loving favor of God, always be accepted with Him. Let, therefore, no soul go from day to day with a fallen countenance, a sad heart, a sour or sullen temper when an infallible remedy is at hand, a remedy that never fails to cure when taken according to the Lord’s directions. Keep free from sin; the remedy is at your door. Keep a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man; the strength from above is brought to your door by ministering angels. Keep growing up into Christ our living Head, in all things, for all the elements of such growth are ever at the command of every one. H. A. ST. JOHN.