The LORD God judged Cain for murdering his brother Abel.  What was Cain’s punishment?  To be a wanderer on the earth, for the blood of Abel had soaked into the ground and would no longer produce crops for him. (See Genesis 4:9-12)

Cain told the LORD that this punishment was greater than he could bear…he knew that others would seek revenge and try to kill him.
(NASB) Genesis 4:15 “So the LORD said to him, ‘Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.’  And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.”

Step by awful step, Cain rejected God.
*God’s love had reached out to him when He had said to Cain…‘Why are you angry?’ (See Genesis 4:6)  Cain rejected God.

*God’s love had reached out to Cain to confess his deed of murdering his brother Abel with the question…‘Where is your brother?’  Cain rejected God.

*God’s love never overlooks sin – sin always has consequences.  God’s mercy, His love and grace is available to all who turn to Him in repentance.  But Cain rejected God.

*God’s love even protected Cain from being killed by others when ‘the LORD appointed a sign for Cain’.  Cain rejected God but accepted His protection.

*God’s love and mercy, His grace, is available for you…your turning to the LORD in repentance will give you life in His presence.  (Your name) accepts or rejects God.

*God’s love was rejected by Cain, repeatedly:

(NASB) Genesis 4:16 “Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”

 

God’s love will continue to reach out to you until you finally accept or reject Him.  Through the Lord Jesus Christ you can be forgiven…for He has taken your punishment for your sins (no matter what they are).  Acceptance – or – rejection of God’s reaching out to you…it is your choice to step toward God OR go out from His presence.