This article was originally published on latterdaysaintwoman.com. It has been republished here with permission.
I’ve been thinking about Cain this morning. After he allowed his life to completely fall apart through 
his bad choices–listening to Satan instead of God, making an incorrect sacrifice and then refusing to understand why God didn’t accept the wrong one, then killing his brother…he failed to really appreciate the really spectacular thing that happened next.
He had to be punished, of course. It was the first murder and people had to learn it would not be tolerated as a way to handle your frustrations. God had tried several times to help Cain get back on track, but Cain wasn’t interested.
When the punishment was announced, Cain got really panicked, saying it was more than he could bear. He was sure everyone would retaliate by killing him.
Now, by now, Cain had been just about as disobedient as he could manage, and yet, God still didn’t withdraw His love or give up on him. He provided a mark to warn people not to harm him, under threat of serious punishment. (The mark was not a punishment, as is often taught; it was a gift.)
Think about it–Cain had murdered someone and God was still protecting him and loving him. Yes, He had to punish Cain, but this punishment was not because the man wasn’t loved. Justice and mercy are also covered with pure love. Loving someone doesn’t mean you never punish them–all parents know that. It means you issue the punishment, but offer love at the same time.
Cain continued to reject that love, but that was his own choice. At any moment in his entire life, he could have crossed back to God’s side and started taking advantage of the love he was being offered. Despite the disobedience, God continued to protect Cain, perhaps because the world was so new.
When I feel I’ve disappointed God, I remember that this disappointment doesn’t have to be permanent. I am no less loved when I am getting life wrong than I am when I’m getting it right. That doesn’t make it okay to sin, but it makes it easier to repent and move forward. There have been times when I’ve been sure God was ready to give up on me and that perfection thing, but perfection is an eternal goal and I remember that I still have time. God is staying with me, cheering me on, helping me repent, motivating me, teaching me, and most importantly, loving me–mistakes and all.
To read more articles by Terrie Bittner, please click here.
Since my mistakes aren’t nearly as big as Cain’s, I find God’s continuing love very reassuring and comforting. I know He will not give up on me.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
I have to say, I laughed at the line “I’ve been thinking about Cain this morning,” because I can’t imagine someone pondering Cain. However, I’m glad you did. I have taught Old Testament seminary and read the below quote from the manual stating the curse was to show mercy, so Cain would not be killed, but I never considered how that mercy was still showing love. This was a really interesting light bulb moment for me. Thank you for this article.
For those interested, here is what the OT Seminary student manual says: “The mark set upon Cain was not the same thing as the curse that he received. Cain was cursed as a consequence of his wickedness. The curse included being “shut out from the presence of the Lord” (Moses 5:41; see also Moses 5:36–39). The mark was to distinguish him as the one who had been cursed by the Lord. The mark was mercifully placed upon Cain so that no one finding him would kill him (see Moses 5:39–40).”