Family of God: Re: [Awake4HisReturn] Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Gives you a lot to think about.

On Sat Apr 23rd, 2011 8:45 AM CDT Michael J. Knight wrote:

>
>And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? He said "I do not
>know, am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4:9
>
>
>Am I My Brother's Keeper?
>
>
>From the very beginning of time the word of God stressed the theme of
>brotherhood, and on the high priority of how they should treat each
>other. It often brings into question, exactly who is my brother, and how
>I am responsible to them, or accountable. If at all?
>
>The word that Cain used for keeper was the Hebrew word Shamar which
>means to guard, protect, to regard.
>
>When God asked Cain if he knew where his brother was, Cain had the
>audacity to lie to God, posing the question, am I to keep track of my
>brother?
>
>God who sees all things, said, "What have you done? The voice of
>your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground." Genesis 4:10
>
>Cain, was very mistaken. He had forgotten there is nothing hidden to
>God. God could even see his brother buried in the ground. He knew Cain's
>thoughts before he uttered words. He knew the sin and desperation in his
>heart.
>
>God in this verse was letting Cain know.. yes, you are responsible for
>your brother, and accountable for what you say or do to him.
>
>This theme is found throughout scripture. The royal command is to love
>one another as God has loved us (1John 4: 11). The word says, "by
>this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
>another." (John 13: 35)
>
>So what does this mean to us?
>
>It means I am your brother or sister. It means even if we disagree, you
>are to love me with the love of God, which is unconditional. How easy is
>this? It isn't. That's the point.
>
>WE alone, cannot attain this level of love. This requires a servant's
>heart, stripped of pride and self-will and full of the anointing of the
>Holy Spirit, wise beyond our years, full of the wisdom of God, and his
>Word.
>
>This requires time spent before the throne of God in prayer, meditation,
>worship and reading His Word.
>
>So what if we leave out some of these steps? Our ability to love others
>is radically effected.
>
>One of the biggest problems I see in churches and among Christians now,
>is a lack of true love. No one knows how to get along, much less forgive
>each other. Everyone carries little grudges they never let go of. Oh,
>they say they do, but in their heart is the vestiges of those little
>lies about forgiving others, they have not really forgiven.
>
>People have forgotten how to humble themselves and love one another
>even, or in spite of their differences.
>
>One of the keys to a thoughtful mind turned towards loving others can be
>found, and directly related to one's submission to Christ.
>
>What is in our heart the most, comes out through our mouth? There is no
>hiding the depths of our heart. Sooner or later it comes out.
>
>What it should be is:
>
>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
>kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such
>there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh
>with it's passions and desires. If we live in the spirit we must walk in
>the spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
>
>You see, if we find we cannot forgive someone,
>If we find we cannot love someone,
>If we find we are constantly angry with the same person,
>Unwilling to back down from our need to be right.
>
>Then we need to go back to that cross of Christ and crucify those things
>which separate us from loving God, and loving Others.
>
>You see, we can claim to be Christians, but unless we are growing, and
>loving, and learning, and dedicating ourselves to Christian pursuits,
>and Christian thinking and staying in the word, and being powerful in
>it, and loving and forgiving, we are not walking with Christ.
>
>We are pursuing our own mindset.
>
>In this the children of God and the children of the devil are
>manifested. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor
>is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you
>heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain
>who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he
>murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 1
>John 3:10-12
>
>Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth, and by
>this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts
>before him.
>
>My friend, if you are unable to love someone, pray till you can. It
>doesn't mean they have to be your best buddy, or that you have to talk
>to them everyday. But it does mean you have to forgive them
>unconditionally and love them with the love that Christ longs to plant
>in your heart.
>
>To do this, you have to free yourself from the past hurts, the past
>unforgiveness, the past angers. Let it Go.
>
>Just give it away, piece by piece, and let God cleanse your heart and
>renew your mind, and fill you with His love.
>
>Nothing ... nothing you can do, will make your Christian life more
>evident to those around you, than loving God, and loving others.
>
>Remember
>Only one life, will soon be past,
>Only what is done, for Christ will last.
>
>The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
>communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians
>13:14)
>
>Love & Prayers,
>
>Michael J. Knight.
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-C-T-S/
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-C-T-S/>
>
>What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.
>
>
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