Family of God: [Church_of_Christ] Doulos Meditation for April 17

Scripture: Genesis 4:9—The LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"

Reflection: The failure of Adam and Eve to live submissive and righteous before God would have been tragic for them alone, if sin were merely a matter of transgressing a commandment and incurring guilt. The thematic in Genesis prohibits this view. The story of Genesis is the story of a disease: sin-disease that having infected the race in Adam spread to all humanity with deadly results.

Cain had the disease. What we can see from this distance is that he had hatred for his brother and despised him; he was jealous and angry; he was deceptive. After he became a murderer, there was lying—"I do not know" and that typical human response of denial and evasion—"…am I my brother's keeper?" Cain first exemplifies the thematic of Genesis that runs, "…every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually." (6:5) "…and God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth." (6:12) Humans today are born into the same natural world conditions as our remote forbears—and that is why Atonement in Jesus' is essential.

Prayer Starter: Dear Father, Our world at this moment is completely trapped in sin. No matter what we do, we cannot solve the sin problem by our own reformative efforts. Have mercy upon us and empower the gospel in every country of this world. Amen. www.doulosinternational.org

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