Jealousy - Not Welcomed.

Genesis 4:1-16

   The story of Cain and Abel is well known by most Christians. God had it put in the bible; A) to tell the true history of His creations and B) to show us, those who read it, the consequences of jealousy.

 Cain suffered for his jealousy against his brother.

We know God's acceptance of Abel's gift to Him, and His rejection of Cain's gift caused the jealousy to gnaw away at Cain. It wasn't God's or Abel's fault. It was all Satan's and Cain's wrong doing. If Cain had been willing to be happy for his brother, and prepared to ask the Lord what he could give instead. Cain probably wouldn't have been punished, so harshly.

 Why is that??

God is a merciful and forgiving God. He wants us to succeed. To flourish in this world and life He made.
  He is like any parent though. When their children mess up, they punish them, but never without mercy.
Punishment from a parent is always, or should always, be done with and in love.

  God's punishment for Cain was substantial, but even when  Cain thought it was to immense to bare. God gave him Hope.

 How?

 By giving him a mark that told others, even in his banishment, he (Cain) was not to be touched by them. Even when Cain was punished God never stopped loving him.

   God won't stop loving us either. When we mess up ( in other words.. Sin) God doesn't quit loving us. He'll be disappointed, and need to punish/correct us, but if we ask for forgiveness and truly mean it. He will be merciful.

   We have a forgiving and just God. Who is our heavenly Father. No matter what we do He'll always love us as His special children.

 God is our Ultimate Parent. No one is better than Him. He can turn our wrongs into His rights!!