Genesis 4_9
September 14
Happy Friday Everyone,
The scripture for today is Genesis 4:9
Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Cain's response to God was indicative of a heart that had no respect for God and His law and consequently was given over to sin. Sin builds upon sin and a single sin, if not quickly repented of, usually leads to another sin and a life of ongoing sinning. After committing murder, Cain lied to God. He not only lied to God he threw a retort back at God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" It is not so much a question as it is a statement of denial of responsibility for whatever happened to his brother. He is saying to God, "I am not responsible for my brother; whatever happens to him is not my problem." Cain's attitude simply reflects where his heart was and who was in control of his life. He had given himself into the hands of Satan and it was the devil who was influencing his words.
The real issue here is not Cain being his brother's keeper; the issue here is relationship with God. The story of Cain and Abel is a story of two brothers and their relationship with God. When our relationship with God is based on love for Him and obedience that springs out of that love, we find our relationship with others will naturally flow from that primary relationship. Our connection with God through love and obedience is what defines the quality of all other relationships. Without God anyone, regardless of how cultured and refined they may appear, can be reduced to the state of Cain; a murderer and a liar.
We can make better choices than Cain. We can choose to follow God and embrace the love that He extends to us. He extends His love to us through His Son and relationship with God is possible through Jesus Christ. A life of freedom from sin and its penalty can be ours through the cleansing blood of Jesus. When we come into the presence of God there is no need to fear or lie for the Bible tells us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 A right relationship with our Heavenly Father brings us into right relationship with one another, and yes, we are indeed our brother's keeper, "for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" 1John 4:20
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim