Everyone who is familiar with the historical account of the first murder in human history is also familiar with this verse. It was a tragic end to Abel's faithful life. It happened because Cain's attitude was wrong and it multiplied into something hard to imagine. Take a moment and really think about it. A man killed his own brother, violently, because of jealousy and hatred. How many other friends did Cain have? How many other brothers?
Before we point fingers at Cain, please search your heart and consider how we kill our own brothers from week to week:
1. We kill our brothers by not knowing where they are. Like Cain, we say as to their whereabouts, "I do not know?" Many people are leaving the church. Many who used to sit in our section or on our pew are waiting for us to call them, encourage them, and care about them. It makes me sick to think about how many of us, who are members of God's family, simply won't take enough time at services to notice who is missing and do something about it.
2. We kill our brothers by not caring where they are. Like Cain, who knew where his brother was, we say, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Apathy is worse than ignorance! Whether we are in large or small congregations we have no excuse when it comes to members slipping away. More brethren means more caretakers of the church. Everybody needs to care.
3. We kill our brothers by being happy to see them leave. If you are happy when someone leaves the congregation where you attend, you'd better pray to God for forgiveness. Being a part of a family means dealing with each other's weaknesses and personality issues. How would we feel if Jesus decided not to die for some of us because we got on his nerves?
4. We kill our brothers by allowing our own weaknesses to get the best of us. Cain did what he felt like doing. He felt like doing it because he allowed Satan to take camp in his mind and change his heart. It is hard for me to understand how people can hold hatred in their heart for others and still call themselves Christians. You can be sure that any hatred you store up will at some point find a landing place.
We owe God's highest creation love, respect, forgiveness, and commitment. We need to keep our brethren. Some things are just worth keeping!
"If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" ~ 1 John 4:20
Very revealing, Jeremiah. This goes along very well with our lesson today at a local ladies Bible study. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
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