March 19, 2006

A Keeper?

In the fourth chapter of Genesis we read of the first murder when Cain allowed his anger to take control of him. Do you remember how Cain responded to God when God asked him where his brother, Abel, was?

“…‘AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?’” ( Genesis 4:9)

I heard someone point out that BEES have KEEPERS and ZOOS have KEEPERS, but BROTHERS need BROTHERS [and SISTERS].

If Cain had been A BROTHER to his brother maybe he would have kept his anger from mastering him. What he needed to exercise was A BROTHER’S ACCEPTANCE rather than the jealousy he had toward Abel. He needed to exercise A BROTHER’S LOVE to uplift rather than to strike out against. And that is the way we need to be with each other in the family of God.

Paul told the church in Galatia:
“(1) BROTHERS, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of GENTLENESS. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (2) BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS, AND SO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST.” ( Galatians 6:1-2 ESV)

Let the bee-keepers tend the bees and the zoo-keepers tend the zoos. But let each of us be A BROTHER (or SISTER) to each other and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

Have a great day LIVING AND SERVING IN GOD’S FAMILY!
Carl
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[This focus was originally sent 06/30/1998, (Edited some and passages have been changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Behavior

Posted by Carl Hanson at March 19, 2006 7:15 AM