Running From Sin

6 January

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Genesis 4:7

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Ecclesiastes 8:1-14

God will pronounce a dreadful sentence against Cain if the man hardens his mind in wickedness and indulges himself in his crime. The warning is emphatic; God not only repels Cain's unjust complaint but shows that Cain could have no greater adversary than the sin that he inwardly cherishes.

God so binds the impious man in these concise words that he can find no refuge. It is as if He says, "Your obstinacy will not profit you, for, though you would have nothing to do with me, your sin will give you no rest but will sharply drive you on, pursue you, urge you, and never allow you to escape." Cain rages in vain but to no profit. He is guilty by his own inward conviction even though no once accuses him. The expression "sin lieth at the door" refers to the interior judgment of the conscience that convinces man of his sin and besieges him on every side. 

The impious may imagine that God slumbers in heaven. They may strive to repel fear of His judgment. But sin sill perpetually draw these reluctant fugitives back to the tribunal from which they flee. 

The expression of Moses has peculiar energy. Sin lieth at the door, meaning the sinner is not immediately tormented with the fear of judgment. Rather, gathering around him whatever delights he can to deceive himself, he appears to walk in free space and to revel in pleasant meadows. However, when he comes to the door, he meets sin, which keeps constant guard. Then conscience, which before was at liberty, is arrested, and he receives double punishment for the delay.

FOR MEDITATION: When we sin and God convicts us of that sin, we run from judgment in many different ways. But why is it impossible to escape the effects of sin? What kind of punishment can we expect when we finally stop running?

John Calvin

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke