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    by Gino Geraci

The Way of Cain (Jude 11a)
Date Posted: May 31, 2007

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain. . . (Jude 1:11a NKJV).

Anybody can become angry-that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way-that is not within everybody's power and is not easy (

Cain's story is told in Genesis 4. He is the first child mentioned of Adam and Eve. Eve’s words in Genesis 4:1, “I have acquired a man from the Lord” reveal that she had high expectations for Cain. The idea -- the hope -- was that Cain would be the promised Messiah, the deliverer. She also bore a second son, Abel.

Both Cain and Abel brought an offering to the Lord. Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground (Genesis 4:3). Abel also brought an offering, the first born of his flock (Genesis 4:4). The Bible tells us that the Lord respected (received) Abel and his offering, but he did not receive Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry, and his countenance fell (verse 5). The Lord then asked Cain why he was angry and why his countenance had fallen and then reminded him that if he did well, he would also be accepted, but if he did not do well, sin would be waiting at the door.

Both Cain and Abel brought a sacrifice, but while Abel’s sacrifice was accepted, Cain’s was rejected.

What a rip-off Cain thought. My brother kills a lamb, and I offer the fruit of my sweat and brow! It's not fair. God's not fair. Some of you may agree; this may seem unfair. But it’s important to remember that God is the One who determines what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable sacrifices. Aristotle 384-322 B.C.).

Cain became angry when God in essence said that his religion was unacceptable. Cain believed in God and in “religion,” but it was a religion based on his own imagination and will. Cain rejected redemption by blood and the sacrifice of an innocent life, and anger gripped his heart and his soul.

The Hebrew is very description and makes it clear that Cain became very, very angry and in fact burned in his anger. He was full of rage and malice, so much so that it showed on his face. Cain was angry at God, because God refused to accept and bless his worship.

Instead of being angry at God, Cain should have been angry with himself, over his unbelief and hypocrisy. He was the one at fault; he was the one who disobeyed God and approached God on the basis of his own strength, his own good works, his own exemplary lifestyle, his own sophisticated, bloodless, Christless, sinless religion. He should have fallen on his knees, repented and begged God for forgiveness and repented at his own unbelief and hypocrisy!

In our day, the only acceptable sacrifice as far as God is concerned, is the death of His only son Jesus Christ. People still get angry over God’s narrow way. They want God to accept whatever sacrifice they are willing, or able (no pun intended) to make.

Much anger is generated when you say, “Jesus is the only way.” Man made religion says, “there must be some other way.” But Paul wrote, “there is no other way given under heaven whereby men must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The preacher who offers some message of hope apart from the shed blood of Jesus Christ walks in the way of Cain. He may not become a murderer like Cain, but he has taken Cain's place by rejecting God's plan for salvation.

What about you? Are you angry? Are you angry that you must come to God on God’s terms? Are you angry with your wife, your children, your boss, your work? Are you angry at the church, the terrorists, the teachers in your school? Are you filled with bitterness and resentment because God has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ but rejects your man-made sacrifices? If so, you are walking in the way of Cain, and your anger will distance you and take you away from the place where you can enjoy God's blessings and love.

© 2007 by Gino Geraci

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Biography Information:
Gino Geraci is the founding Pastor of Calvary South Denver.

He has served as a police chaplain for several police departments and currently serves as a Police Chaplain for the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department. Gino has provided emergency service support in many national tragedies. He was a first responder at Columbine High School, Ground Zero in New York, and Platte Canyon High School.

Gino has appeared on scores of national and local radio programs as a guest, including television appearances with Lee Stroebel's Faith Under Fire. He currently hosts a daily radio program with Salem Media in Denver, Colorado area.

Gino is a much sought after conference speaker. He has conducted leadership conferences, Bible conferences, and emergency service support conferences with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritans' Purse, Gospel for Asia in India and Sri Lanka, the Bible League in Africa, Food For The Poor in Jamaica, Mike McIntosh Crusades in Mexico, Somebody Loves You Bible Conferences with Raul Ries in Chile, Columbia and Peru, and pastor's conferences in much of the continental United States.

Gino is currently the pastor of Calvary South Denver where he continues to minister, preach, teach, and serve.
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