In the opening stanza of the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace,” . . .

In the opening stanza of the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace,” John Newton writes, “I once was lost, but now am found.”  Notice that he does not say, “I once was lost, but then repented of my foolish ways and turned back home again.”  The idea here is not the he found God, but that God found him—and that’s precisely what makes God’s grace so amazing.  The very One who should be sought by us, instead starts searching for us!

Consider the story of Cain and Abel.  Like any two brothers, I’m sure they had their fair share of squabbles growing up.  Indeed, even as adults, they choose very different career paths.  Cain decides to become a farmer, while Abel becomes a shepherd.  In time, they both bring their offerings to God—which is where the trouble really begins.

According to the Genesis account, Cain offers up “the fruit of the ground.”  Not the “first fruit,” mind you; just whatever he could scape together on short notice.  Abel, on the other hand, presents the “firstlings of his flocks”—the ones possessing “the fattest portions.”  Granted, it wasn’t supposed to be a competition; but all the same, when God takes delight in Abel’s offering and barely acknowledges Cain’s, their sibling rivalry is pushed to the breaking point.

Cain is outraged, and as a result, his “countenance fell”—meaning, basically, that he starts to pout.  And frankly, if there was ever a time when I think God would have been justified in leaving Cain along, this is it.  After all, who wants to hang around someone who is pouting?  If you wish to host your own pity party, fine.  But don’t expect me to attend.

However, that’s not the approach God takes.  God actually goes out looking for Cain.  “What’s with the long face?” asks God.  “Why are you so upset?”  God even tries to reason with Cain.  “Let’s talk this over, because I sense that you’re in a bad place right now, filled with evil thoughts.  I want to help you, Cain.”

It’s a wonderful example of the extent of God’s grace, because God has every right to say, “Spare me your whining.  You brought this upon yourself.”  But instead God keeps reaching out.

Of course, if you’re familiar with the story, you know what happens next.  Cain ends up taking out all of his frustrations on his innocent brother, and then has the chutzpah to try acting innocent himself.  When God comes asking where Abel is, Cain just shrugs his shoulders and says, “Beats me”—which doesn’t fool God for a moment.  And then Cain adds, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”—which doesn’t even rate as an answer.

It’s not a pretty story, to be sure.  But it does illustrate how willing God is to keep pursuing us, even when we’ve given God every reason to consider us a lost cause.  Cain still must face the consequences of his actions and set up home somewhere east of Eden’s city limits.  But God promises to look after him nevertheless, and even puts “a mark” on Cain to protect him from future retaliation.  Now, I’m not sure what you’d call that, but it sounds to me like “amazing grace.”