But he who
hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where
he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John
Man's fall, whatever else it may have been, resulted in a complete change of the center of his being. He was made in the likeness of God, and God's nature is absolutely selfless. God's will and purpose was the one rule of man's existence until the moment came when our first parents substituted the gratification of self for the will and law of God. From that hour the self-life became the dominant principle of mankind, and the world is what it is today because of the essence of life being the service of self.
We do not
know what really caused the difference in the disposition of Cain and Abel.
There are hints and suggestions, but the fundamental reason why these two
brothers differed so is veiled in mystery, though the like of it still shows
itself in our homes. The Apostle John gives us the clue in his first epistle,
where he says that Cain slew his brother, because his own works were evil, and
his brother's righteous.
God spoke
with Cain and warned him that sin was lying at the door of his heart, waiting
to enter. He exhorted him to watch and not allow it to intrude. When the
dreadful deed was done, Cain found that all nature was in arms against him, and
he became an outcast. The blood of Abel cried against Cain, for all sin cries
to God, and He is the avenger and vindicator of wronged ones who in simplicity
and faith have cast themselves upon Him. Thank God, also, there is a cry louder
than that of Abel's, which pleads not for judgment but for mercy (Hebrews
This world
is full of envy, jealousy, strife, and murder, because men keep themselves
instead of keeping their brothers; because our own instead of another's welfare
revolves round the pivot of "I". The first epistle of John is the
antithesis of this story in Genesis, and contains its antidote, for it is when
we love God first and best that we love our brother, and as we open our whole
soul to the tidal wave of God's love, we are lifted above the jagged rocks of
the self-life into the broad full ocean of life which is life indeed (1 John
3:14-17). If one’s relationship is right
with God, it is right with everyone else, even our enemies. (Matthew 5:44)
PRAYER
Our Father!
Help us to consider the interests of others, and to act generously towards
them, because we are Your children, and Your infinite resources are at our
commands. I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.
God's Daily Promise
Promise #282:
If you confess your sins, I will be faithful to forgive and cleanse
you.
1 John 1:9 (WEB)
If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins,
and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
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