Genesis 4-6

Today's scripture reading, if you're reading through the Bible in a year with us at NorthWoods Church, is Genesis 4-6.

Genesis is a book of beginnings and chapter four we see a beginning: the beginning of natural childbirth.

At the beginning of natural human history, the first naturally born child is thrust onto the scene: Cain enters this world like the rest of us, through pain.

It would be great to say that the first naturally born child to enter this world was one who made a positive and godly impact upon the world and left his mark for the Glory of God. That simply isn't the case however as we learn in 4:8,

"And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."

Was it just an accident? Was it a crime of passion? Was this first family fight that ended up being the first homicide in history just the result of circumstances that were beyond Cain's control?

To answer these questions, we have to look again to the Bible; although in a different section. In 1 John 3:12 it says,

"Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother."

Apparently, the writer of 1 John wants us to know that Cain belonged to Satan. But, I want to know more. I understand that Cain wasn't a follower of God, but even non-Christians don't just go around murdering people, especially their families. Most people know that it's wrong to kill.

So, what was it Cain? What made you murder your brother? The last part of 1 John 3:12 tells us,

"Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous."

There it is. Cain hated his brother because his brother was someone who did right in the eyes of the Lord. Cain didn't. Cain lived for his own glory. Abel lived for the Glory of God.

Jesus said to his followers in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble." Count on it, you're going to have trouble. Things won't work out like you want them. Situations will seem against you. Life will seem hard. Trouble will be knocking at your door. The world will bring you trouble.

"But take heart! I have overcome the world." (end of verse 33)

Why do we, as Christians have trouble? Why does the Lord Jesus promise us trouble in this world?

I can think of at least 3 reasons:

1: Jesus said so.

It should not come as a surprise to believers that the world will bring us tribulation and trials because our Lord and Master has warned us ahead of time. The Creator of the universe has decreed that trouble will come our way. It's not a question of if, it's a question of when.


2. The world is evil.

I'm not sure I have to convince you of this. Just turn on the news at any point in any day and you'll see what I'm talking about. Each one of us could write story after story about something awful that has happened to us or to someone we know. But it's not enough to look at what happens to us to make a final decision about what we think: we always look to the Word of God to shape our opinion: "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." -Ephesians 5:15


3. The world hates us.

Our Lord said in John 15:17-19, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."


It's easy to look at Cain and say, "well I'd never murder my brother." And for most of us, we would be right in saying that. As always however, our opinion is never the last word. Right after telling us why Cain became a murderer, 1 John 3:15 expands on the definition of murderer:

"Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

Ouch.


That's the truth about us. We add to the evil in the world. We have the same problem that Cain had: "All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." -Romans 3:12

That's the bad news.

But oh, what great good news we have! We have a God of love. We have a great God of Love and, "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -1 John 4:10

We have before us a God who sees us in our lowly state of sin and with His wrath upon our heads and shows up to bear our sin and our wrath and offer forgiveness and reconciliation to Himself.

Have you repented of your sin and called on the name of Jesus?

Have you placed your faith and trust in my Lord Jesus Christ?

Come today, to the Cross of Christ and do what Cain didn't: go from being born, to being born again.