He had just presented his very best vegan offering and nothing—not even a spark or puff of smoke. A short distance away he saw his brother, Abel, bowed in reverent humility as holy fire streaked from the sky and consumed the sacrificial lamb. As was their custom and in obedience to divine instructions, both Cain and Abel erected altars alike. Adam and Eve taught them about God's mercy and His provision for redemption and the restoration of the human race from the effects of sin. They were taught that through these offerings they were expressing their faith in the promised Savior who would give His life that they may be restored. They understood that the blood of the lamb represented the blood of the Lamb who was able to remove their sin.

In addition to this sacrifice of atonement, Cain and Abel were to bring a thank offering to the Lord from the first fruits of the earth. Cain brought the offering of his fruits, but did not present the blood sacrifice as an atonement for his sin. He built an altar. He presented an offering, but he left the most import thing undone—the expression of his need of a Redeemer. As Cain watched the prescribed substitute burn, something burned in him. The expression on his face changed—from an air of pride and arrogance, to shadows of anger and contempt.

God was not willing to leave Cain a victim of his own feelings. In love and compassion, He initiated a conversation designed to preempt the inevitable painful and destructive results of angry emotions gone wild, a conversation designed to provide a way of escape. With an urgent appeal, filled with tenderness and compassion, God gave Cain the privilege of His divine perspective.

"'Why are you so angry?' the Lord asked Cain. 'Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master'" (Genesis 4:6, 7 NLT).

Cain rejected the conversation with God and acted on his anger and contempt for his brother's righteous act of faith. Abel soon lay dead in his own blood.

I'm ashamed to admit that Cain's story has been repeated a number of times in my own life—not that I've physically murdered anyone, but God has sought to save me from a wrong course motivated by selfish ambition and wrong attitudes. Unfortunately, too often I have rejected God's mercy. The results have always been more devastating than I ever imagined.

Sin is like that. It is deceptive. It is underhanded. It robs you of everything it promises.

"Where is Abel your brother? ... What have you done?"

God never left Cain. He was still there speaking words of hope—initiating a conversation, an opportunity for confession and restoration.

He does the same for me: "Gary, what have you done?" These conversations with Him lead me to the foot of the cross. I am restored.

Gary Burns is the communication director of the Lake Union Conference.