When Jesus was dying on the cross he uttered words of forgiveness toward those who crucified him. Everyone likes to be forgiven. However, not everyone accepts offered forgiveness. To do so implies admittance of our error and requires humility within our heart. God is prepared to repeatedly offer us forgiveness but we do not experience it unless we accept it.
Cain is an excellent example of God's grace unreceived. Having been asked to bring an offering to God, Abel brought the expected animal sacrifice which pointed toward the eventual sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. However, Cain wanted things his way and brought of the fruit of the ground. When God rejected Cain's sacrifice and Cain became angry God offered him forgiveness and an opportunity to repent. God said to him in Genesis 4:7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted?" But Cain did not received the offered forgiveness. Instead, he killed his brother. Then when God asked, "Where is Abel your brother?" Cain passed by another opportunity to receive God's forgiveness and tried to avoid the question by saying "Am I my brother's keeper?" Even in the resulting consequences God demonstrated his mercy. In response to Cain's fear of harm from others God placed a mark upon him. Some feel this mark was a mark of ownership. Cain could still return his Owner and receive forgiveness. Instead he pursued his own interests and begot a family in which the first instance of multiple wives and continued murder arose.
How wonderful God is to offer forgiveness even when we don't deserve or receive it. His first offer was made even while we were enemies and sinners. By accepting his forgiveness we can live without the guilt that our enemy wants to pile upon us. If you are living in the joy of forgiveness, give God praise for what He has done. If not, lay down the burden of guilt today. Each of us were included when Jesus said, "Father, forgive them."
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