And Why Did Cain Murder Abel? Because His Own Deeds Were Evil and His Brother’s Righteous

I’ve often thought that one of the surest signs of Christian maturity is that we can root for each other. Love delights in the truth, which means we ought to thrill to discover that others parent better, exercise better, do school better, do church better. But I know the green-eyed monster as much as anyone. I can feel jealousy in my bones when someone excels at something I am supposed to be good at–preaching, writing, pastoring, reading, blogging, etc. I want to be genuinely excited to see gifts in others, even gifts that outshine my own. I want to cheer the truth wherever I see it being promoted, even if it means others get noticed instead of me. I don’t want to be like Cain, but sometimes I am.

That’s why I found these paragraphs from John Piper, commenting on 1 John 3:12 in Finally Alive, so convicting and helpful.

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So what would it be like for any of us to be like Cain? It would mean that anytime some weakness or bad habit in our lives is exposed by contrast to someone else’s goodness, instead of dealing with the weakness or the bad habit, we keep away from those whose lives make us feel defective. We don’t kill them. We avoid them. Or worse, we find ways to criticize them so as to neutralize the part of their lives that was making us feel convicted. We feel like the best way to nullify someone’s good point is to draw attention to his bad point. And so we protect ourselves from whatever good he might be for us.

But John’s point is: Love doesn’t act like that. Love is glad when our brothers and sisters are making progress in good habits or good attitudes or good behavior. Love rejoices in this growth. And if it happens to be faster than our own growth, then love is humble and rejoices with those who rejoice.

So the lesson for us is: Everywhere you see some growth, some virtue, some spiritual discipline, some good habit, or good attitude, rejoice in it. Give thanks for it. Compliment it. Don’t resent it. Don’t be like Cain. Respond the opposite from Cain. Be inspired by other people’s goodness.

Love is humble. Love delights in other people’s good. Love doesn’t protect its own flaws. Love takes steps to change them. What a beautiful fellowship where everyone is rejoicing in each other’s strengths, not resenting them! This is what the love of God looks like when the new birth gives it life in the people of God (158-159).