The Characteristics of a Congregant in the Church of Cain Part 3

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous 1 John 3:12

I shared in last week’s blog that the Church of Cain is full of people who want God’s blessing but not God's boundaries. There are several signs or indications consistent
with a congregant of the Church of Cain:
*The First Indication - A Heart That Worships Without Surrender.
*The Second Indication - An Attitude That Resents Correction.
*The Third Indication - Jealousy Toward the Righteous.
*The Fourth Indication - Religion Without Repentance.

Jude 1:11 warns believers not to “go the way of Cain.” What is the way of Cain? Worship without repentance, activity without transformation, and offering without obedience.
Cain wanted God’s approval without giving God his allegiance. Therefore, a congregant in the Church of Cain:
Wants forgiveness without forsaking sin and grace without growth
Wants God’s presence without God’s authority as well as to be affirmed, not transformed.

The biblical account about Cain is thick with tragedy. He stood in God’s presence but refused to bow to God’s rule, and as a result, he forfeited God’s blessing!

*The Fifth Indication - A Life That Blames Instead of Breaks

When God confronted Cain, Cain never said: “I was wrong,” or “Forgive me.” Instead, he said: “My punishment is too great,” “People will kill me”, and “I’m being treated unfairly.”
Again, a congregant in the Church of Cain is always the victim, always the misunderstood, but never the sinner. They are never accountable. You see, Cain mourned the consequences, but not the corruption in his head and heart.

*The Sixth Indication - A Worshiper Who Leaves God’s Presence and Practices Spirituality.

A congregant in the Church of Cain:
Knows the songs but not the Savior.
Knows the language but not the Lord.
Knows the motions but not the Master. Therefore, they are spiritually active but spiritually absent.

We will end this week’s Blog with a warning from the word of God, as well as an invitation.

THE WARNING: You Can Be in God’s House but Not Be God’s Child!

Cain teaches us that proximity to worship does not translate into a purity of the heart. Congregants of the church of Cain
align themselves near the altar. They present offerings, participate in worship, and even hear God’s words, and are still outside the will of God. Thus, the church of Cain is not a building; it is a condition of the head and heart.

THE INVITATION: Come out of the Church of Cain!

God gave Cain a chance to repent, and He gives us the same.
To come out of the church of Cain, you must:

Bring God your best, not your leftovers.
Receive correction as mercy, not insult.
Celebrate righteousness instead of resenting it.
Repent quickly and sincerely.
Seek God’s presence, not just God’s provision.

Cain’s story is a warning. But Abel’s story is an invitation.

Not a sermon, just some thoughts,

FtGG