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Tag: Cain and Abel

God Has Fixed This …

GodIsntFixingThisGodHasFixedThisThe December 3rd edition of the Daily News in its front page, headlined, “GOD ISN’T FIXING THIS” in response to what they felt was a cowardly and platitude response to the San Bernardino massacre of 14 innocent lives by terrorists, calling to attention the tweets of “thoughts and prayers” of several politicians. The motif of the article was that it was not “God control” but “Gun control” that was needed.

First and foremost, I must admit that I cannot even imagine the hurt and grief that the loved ones of the victims left behind are going through and that any condolences, that me or my family offers, would be insufficient as a solace, to the grieving families. Having said that, we wish to say to the surviving victims of this hate and violence that you can be assured of our prayers. Second, I do agree that some action needs to be taken but I am not certain that “gun control” alone would fix this and I say that because, even before there were guns, violence has always been a problem, since the fall of man. Violence, especially violence that results in the death of others, is the byproduct of sin. We see that in the life of Cain, the first human murderer, who slew his brother Abel, being subdued by sin (Genesis 4:7) and Satan – the first murderer – from the beginning – (John 8:44). In fact, man choosing to follow the evil desires of his own heart, instead of following God led to his corruption and the corruption of the world, so much so, that the world was filled with violence, grieving the very heart of God, the Creator, who in his wrath brought justice by destroying the whole world, save Noah and his family, by a flood (Genesis 6:11-13). From this, we can see that the very fallen nature of man is what needs to be fixed for him or her to be a creature of peace and not of violence.

Points to ponder:
Some have argued that “God isn’t fixing this” while others have rebutted that it is not God’s to fix – but the fact of the matter is “God has fixed this”, when Jesus Christ was born, 2000+ years ago, for when he was born, the heavens opened and the angelic choir sang “Peace (the antidote to violence) on earth and good will to ALL men.” The question is whether you choose to believe in it or not. The very nature of man is what needs to be fixed and fixing (transformation of man within) is only possible when we totally surrender our will and our selfish desires to Jesus Christ, trusting and believing in him, and choosing to Love God totally and Love man as we love ourselves. God has fixed us – Are you fixed? Am I fixed?

Blood for Blood or not

Genesis 9:5-6 establishes that the one who sheds the blood of man shall be avenged for that person (including animals that kill) must be put to death, since man is made in the image of God. In other words, the world justice system of “blood for blood” fits nicely with these verses. However, if you  recount the incident of Cain and Abel, even though Cain had shed the blood of his brother Abel, and his blood was required, he was spared, depicting God’s mercy and grace.

Points to ponder:
The world’s justice system may require blood for blood (which is Biblically supported), but according to God’s justice system, he spares even a murderer, for his love trumps over justice. Even though it may seems like it should be blood for blood, with the grace and mercy of God, it is not. Such is his love for you and me … Think about it!

Genesis 9:5-6 (KJV)
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Am I my brother’s keeper?

When God questioned Cain as to the whereabouts of his brother Abel, whom he had murdered, Cain responded first with a lie saying that “I know not” and then counter-questioned God “Am I my brother’s keeper?” This is probably the first counter-question asked by man to God since the creation of man. Though there is no record of God directly and explicitly answering this question of Cain, we must be careful to not write this question off, as one that is rhetorical, for it is not.

Points to ponder:
Are you your brother’s keeper? Am I my brother’s keeper? The answer is an absolute ‘YES’ for the epistle to the Romans makes this very clear that no man lives to himself nor dies to himself (Romans 14:7). Jesus called his disciples, his brothers (Matthew 28:10) and just as God is the keeper of his people (Psalm 121:4), we are expected to be as followers of God (Ephesians 6:1) and keepers of our brethren as well.

Genesis 4:7-9 (KJV)
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

Romans 14:7 (KJV)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Cain is charged with DUI

When God questioned Cain as to the whereabouts of his brother Abel, whom he had murdered, Cain responded first with a lie saying that “I know not” and then counter-questioned God “Am I my brother’s keeper?” God had given Cain a chance to be accepted even though his offering was not (Genesis 4:6-7). At this time, Abel was still alive, but instead of heeding to God’s voice, Cain rejects God’s offer to be accepted. Instead he let’s sin rule over him. He talks to his brother Abel and when they are in the field, Cain rises against his brother Abel and slays him (Genesis 4:7-8). Cain murders his brother and then lied about his murder to God, the omniscient.

Cain willfully chose to blaspheme by rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God and letting sin rule over him. Cain murdered and lied, because his life was driven by and under the influence (DUI) of the devil. Jesus referred to the devil as a murderer and liar from the very beginning (John 8:44).  Notice the sins of Cain was murder and lies. Notice the devil is the father of lies and a murderer.

Points to ponder:
When we willfully sin against God, rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God, we blaspheme against God and are under the influence of the evil one i.e., our lives are driven by the devil. Let us not willfully reject the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God (John 16:8-9) and blaspheme against him, lest we shall be like Cain DUI.

Genesis 4:7-9 (KJV)
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

John 8:44 (KJV)
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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