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ROMANS 1 SINS THAT LED TO A FOOLISH MIND

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January 31

ROMANS 1

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. – Romans 1:28-32

ROMANS 1 SINS THAT LED TO A FOOLISH MIND

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you think that there’s no need to acknowledge God

It will bear consequences on your minds and your hearts

We will be filled with envy, conflicts, and haughtiness

Your priorities will all be towards the path to selfishness

You will hate God and do all kinds of rebellious acts

You will declare yourself as a god and want to be revered by all.

In this account, Paul explains the consequences of any believer who leaves the path of righteousness and decides to take the road towards idolatry. They didn’t see a need to acknowledge and revere the Lord.  Because of this choice, they were left by God to their foolish minds. As a result of such a decision, the Lord allowed them to drown in their own wickedness and debased minds. The consequences of these are the following sins that Paul enumerated in this letter:

·       Covetousness, greed and envy- since they desired to have it all, they began to hoard anything and everything so that they can feel powerful.

·       Malice, inventors of evil and all things wicked – because of their insecurity and mistrust, they have to invent all kinds of evil so that they can have control.

·       Disobedient to parents, heartless, insolent -they defy authority and have no care for those powerful and responsible for them.

·       Haters of God, faithless, idolaters, haughty, boastful – because they love themselves so much, they vilify everyone including their Creator. They also hate their own brothers and sisters and have no accountability for their own actions.

·       Ruthless, murderers, gossips and slanderers- without the knowledge of God, they didn’t care for others so they can just cancel anyone that gets in their way and assassinate them.

·       Unrighteous, evil, deceitful- they are darkened and have no shed of what is good. They manipulate to make everything about themselves and what they want to get.

All these acts clearly enumerated by Paul in this letter gives us a clear picture of the condition of the human heart, but more especially the Roman believers. This letter is to warn them of the old life that they used to live that they now have to abandon and return to God.

REFLECTION

·        Share insights on any of the consequences of not acknowledging God in this letter of Paul.

EPHESIANS 2 DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS THROUGH CHRIST

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January 30

EPHESIANS 2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:1-10

EPHESIANS 2 DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS THROUGH CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Once you were by nature children of wrath, like all humans

But Christ freed you and changed your nature to please God

You are now dead in your trespasses and sins because of Christ

You are not slaves to sin anymore but are now dead from it

Walk in the guidance of the Spirit and never follow your cravings

Instead, aim to focus your mind and heart to what is righteous.

In this account, Paul explains the concept of being in control of the believers’ bondage to sin. He says that since Jesus died for them already, there is no reason for them to live sinful lives anymore. The grace given to them through their faith is not based on what they do and how they perform but on the gift of God when He sent his son to die on the cross. Because of this, no believer can boast about any of these gifts of grace since they received them from God even while they were still sinners and don’t deserve to be given such privileges.

Paul focuses on God’s being rich in mercy and love for mankind. Because we are loved by a faithful God, Paul wants the believers to learn the way of living free from the bondage of sin. This means that we follow that which is the opposite of the systems of the world. We aim to live under the law of love and liberty instead of the systems of greed and covetousness. It also means living a life of starving the passions and desires of our flesh which are all against God.

In verse 10, he points out how we are the workmanship of God. In Genesis 1:27, we know this to be true since he made both man and woman in his own image. The problem lies in the fall when sin twisted the purpose of our make. Sin changed the trajectory of our love from God to ourselves. So, Paul teaches the believers to go back to the way God made us for. It was for us to bring him glory and not ourselves.

REFLECTION

·       How can we live a life of freedom from sin instead of bondage to it?

LEVITICUS 5 ON FALSE TESTIMONY, RASH OATHS & IMPURITY

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 January 29

LEVITICUS 5

“If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity; 2 or if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean wild animal or a carcass of unclean livestock or a carcass of unclean swarming things, and it is hidden from him and he has become unclean, and he realizes his guilt; 3 or if he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort the uncleanness may be with which one becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and realizes his guilt; 4 or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; 5 when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, 6 he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin. – Leviticus 5:1-6

LEVITICUS 5 ON FALSE TESTIMONY, RASH OATHS & IMPURITY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As children of God, we are to speak the truth at all times

If we know something and omit to speak for justice’s sake

We are perverting fairness at its core and we are being impartial

When we give oaths and do not deliver it, we are as bad as any liar

If we follow the ways of the world, we are compromising our purity

Since God is holy, he requires all his people to be pure and holy.

In this book, Moses further explains in detail how the people of God can apply the laws of the Lord. The offenses spoken here by the prophet focus on giving false testimony, rash oaths or vows and impurity. Some of the details of the offenses here still reiterates all the ten commandments given by God to the prophet. Moses is explaining how moral laws were also patterned from the ten commandments of the Lord. This chapter of the book of Leviticus is a guideline for sin offering. Although we do not follow all these laws since Jesus has died for us already, we can still get a historical perspective of how so many civil and governmental laws are patterned after some of these laws.

As discussed in verse 1, a believer must never give a false testimony when he is called to witness. It is the same in our laws. We will perjure ourselves if we give false statements or pervert justice when we lie or omit something we know. Sin of omission is still sin because it is concealing the truth. If a witness covers up something he knows or refuses to give evidence or giving in parts, that is still a falsification of justice. He will carry the burden of omitting that evidence to bring justice and will later be bothered by his conscience.

These verses also mention the importance of not taking rash oaths especially to God. When we give vows without truly meaning it and keeping it, we are also lying. Purity is also required to all believers since God himself is holy.

REFLECTION

·       Explain what false testimony, rash oaths and impurity have in common? 

LUKE 17 WOE TO THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATIONS

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January 28

LUKE 17

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” – Luke 17:1-4

LUKE 17 WOE TO THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATIONS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, you must avoid temptations

You need not compromise and expose yourself to such invitations

Although there will always be enticements that will come your way

Strengthen your faith so you can discern when it arrives in your trail

Woe to the source of temptations, they will be cast out into the sea

The Lord will not allow his children to be lured by such deceits

Forgive when a brother repents and asks for your forgiveness

It will close the door for the enemy to lure you into sinfulness

Repent of your sins as soon as you are convicted by the Spirit

It will keep you on track towards maturing and growing your faith.

In this account, Jesus teaches his disciples to be wary of temptations. Although he said that it was expected of them to be tempted, they could still overcome the temptations that will come their way. After all, we live in a corrupt world and we all have the sinful nature lying within each of us. Temptation is not a sin, but it is a training ground for us to grow our faith and strengthen our discernment and dependence on the Holy Spirit that was given to us when we were chosen to be God’s children.

In the book of James, we were told where the source of sin comes from. He said in James 1:14 that each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. In other words, it is within each one of us. James also explains that we must never say that “I am tempted by God” because God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. Temptations come from our sinful nature and our flesh. This is why it is very important for a believer to have a very close relationship with God so that he will not be enticed by our sinfulness. We need to know our Lord and fear him so that we will have wisdom to know when we are being tempted. We need to be constantly feeding on the truth that comes from God’s word so that we will not open doors for the enemy to trick us.

In these verses, Jesus warns them to watch out for the temptress and anyone who becomes the host of the devil to trap and ensnare people to sin. He tells his disciples what would be the consequences of those who deceive and trap God’s people into falling into sin or misleading them to believe false teachings. Verse 2 gives us a vivid picture of the gravity of such acts of enticing the children of God.

REFLECTION

  • What are ways that we are not guarding our hearts from being tempted?

JOHN 5 BE WELL & SIN NO MORE

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January 27

JOHN 5

Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” – John 5:9-17

JOHN 5 BE WELL & SIN NO MORE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are directed by the Holy Spirit

You will begin to clearly see how you are living

Your sins will be exposed and you will need to repent

This will be the beginning of your soul’s recovery

You will be healed and all will be well with your soul

Jesus will restore all aspects and every part of you

So, sin no more and wear your new nature in Christ

Your old self has died and now you are free and alive again.

In this account, John narrates one of the most famous miracles of Jesus during his public life. It was the healing of an invalid man for thirty-eight years on a Sabbath day. In the earlier verses before these following verses, we hear how Jesus asked the man who had been crippled for so many years the question “Do you want to be healed?” Why on earth did he have to ask that when he is God and he is all-knowing? The question is not about Jesus not knowing what they want but is about our admission of our need for being healed or saved. It is the humble act of recognizing that we cannot heal or fix our illnesses or sins. We need a Savior higher and mightier than us. Jesus cannot overrule the free will that God gave every human being. He needs from us the acknowledgement of that need. Jesus never overstepped the boundaries that the Lord God created. He cannot go against our will. We are given free will to choose him. He will never impose anything on us without our free will.

In these following verses, it is amazing how Jesus picked this man out of the many people who were ill in that place. I am sure, many are wanting to be healed like this man, but why him and not someone else from the crowd? We don’t know what made Jesus select this man. I think Jesus had so much compassion on this man who suffered that long. We will not be able to fathom whom God chooses to save and he won’t save. He is God and can do whatever pleases him. But when the man was healed, he was told not to sin anymore. Interesting how sin overlaps our illnesses in this account.

REFLECTION

  • Enumerate some sins that manifest as illnesses in the lives of many and share insights on them.

MATTHEW 5 CUT OFF ANYTHING THAT CAUSES SIN

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January 26

MATTHEW 5

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

                                                                                        – Matthew 5:27-30

MATTHEW 5 CUT OFF ANYTHING THAT CAUSES SIN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you believe in God, you will do anything to please him

You will let go of the desires and the cravings of the flesh

No longer will you feed your lusts but starve it instead

Lose anything that will cause you to sin and renew your mind

Make every thought captive into the obedience of Jesus

Whatever it is that makes you tempted to sin, cut it off

Don’t let your whole body be corrupted by any part of it

Do not give in to the worldly systems but walk by the Spirit.

In this account of Matthew, Jesus expounds on the requirements that was needed to be met by those disciples who want to follow him. He just finished giving the sermon on the mount prior to these verses. The theme of the verses is “cutting off” any source of sin. “Nip it in the bud” is an expression that means exactly what Jesus is saying here. It means to put a quick end to something before it grows. The term originated in the garden. When a flower or a leaf has a problem, gardeners are told to nip it in the bud before the disease or ailment of the plant spreads throughout the whole plant. Just like our whole spiritual self is that plant, we need to cut off anything that would contaminate and corrupt our whole being.

Jesus uses some examples of the law and in verse 27, he points out adultery. He expounds on verse 28 as the beginning phase of sin when they are lusting for someone as they look at that object of desire. Jesus explains that it is the same as having the physical act of unfaithfulness done just by lusting with the eyes. The source of it is wanting to gratify the desire of the flesh, wanting to covet that which one does not possess. It is a sin of covetousness which is the last commandment. It is also a sin of stealing someone else’s possession. Looking at someone with lust is a form of stealing because the person wasn’t given the option to be used as an object of someone else’s desire. It was taken from them without their knowledge. Verses 29-30 is not a literal advice to follow. It doesn’t mean to cut your body parts that sins but it means that we should “nip it in the bud” before sin spreads and lead to more sins until it reaches a point of no return. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit so if we don’t walk in the Spirit, we will be in bondage to sin  and it can lead to many other sins.

REFLECTION

·       Share some insights as to the aftermath of sins when we don’t nip it in the bud.

COLOSSIANS 3 PUT OFF SINS & BE IMAGE BEARERS OF CHRIST

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January 25

COLOSSIANS 3

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

                                                                                – Colossians 3:1-11

COLOSSIANS 3 PUT OFF SINS & BE IMAGE BEARERS OF CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To commit to Jesus Christ, one must let the old self go

It means that you no longer allow your sinful nature to rule

You will stop what is earthly and trivial so you can mature

You’ll seek heavenly things so you can become holy and pure

Let go of covetousness, idolatry, sexual immorality and evil desires

Instead, let the Spirit of the Lord permeate your entire being.

In this letter, Paul writes to the Colossians what could truly help them overcome sin and live their lives serving the Lord Jesus Christ. He says that the proof of their faith lies in the things that they set their minds to dwell on. If they focus on material things, that only means that their old self is still very much alive and that the new nature hasn’t yet been worn. In verses 8-9 he enumerates the manifestations of the old self which are: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, covetousness, sexual immorality and lying. Paul described these sins as idolatry. What are the common factors in these sins? Pride. What is the center of pride? Spelling wise, it is the letter “I” which could be attributed to the “self.” Each of these sins stems from the love of self. When one is angry, it is because the self didn’t get its way. The wrath stems from wanting to be so much in control, so that when someone else takes the control, they fume out. Slander focuses on twisting the reality and assassinating someone else’s character. Envy usually plays a role here. The person they are slandering must have something they lack, so they need to vilify them so others will see them better than who they were slandering. Malice is corrupting what is true and real. It stems from mistrust. It is focusing only on the self and is not concerned about the goodness of others. Sexual immorality is clearly pleasuring the self.  Covetousness is clearly greed to have as much as what one can have. He reminds the Colossians that a believer of Christ does not indulge in these sins. Instead, they wear the image that God has created them to be: in his own likeness.

REFLECTION

·       Why is it a sin to tarnish the image that God has created in each of us?

1 PETER 2 DYING TO SIN

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January 24

1 PETER 2

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:21-25

1 PETER 2 DYING TO SIN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you believed in Christ, you’re now a new creation

You are no longer to wear your old nature but walk in faith

There is no more reason to continue your habitual sinning

Instead, you need to embrace a righteous living

Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength

And then, love others as you also love your own self

Die to all occasions of sin and be renewed in your mind

Let it be in obedience to the word that comes from Christ.

In this letter of Peter to the church, he called the believers to die to their sins. He reminded them that Christ suffered and died for them so that they can emulate the same sacrifice that he laid out for their sins. He further brings them into the recollection that Jesus was sinless and that there was no corruption or falseness in him at all. The most characteristic of Jesus that Peter highlighted was how Jesus took all the beatings and the abuse of his accusers. He didn’t say a thing. There was no defense or arguing on his part, but just silence and continued trust in his just and merciful Father, who knew all things. He had no tinge of fear or hatred towards his abusers, but a love that cannot be matched by anyone.

Has anyone else done something similar than Jesus has done for you? He gave up his position sitting beside His Father and became one of us just so we can be freed from sin and reconciled with our heavenly Father. I have never met someone who would give up everything just to save or rescue me from danger. Not even the one who married me can give me that unconditional love that the Lord granted me. We live in a very corrupt world where most things are transactional. We give to get something in return and not truly out of love or service. We retaliate when we get hurt by someone. We sometimes hold on to grudges and offenses that keep us continually bitter and angry. Jesus did all the opposite of what any human would do. He quietly obeyed His Father’s plan to save us all. He didn’t question his Father why he needed to be the sacrificial lamb. He also didn’t give up or doubted that his Father’s plan was not the best solution for reconciling himself with mankind. Jesus never did or said anything that is not reflecting his Father’s character. He was obedient and trusting God in all things. Could we emulate the true act of humility and suffering that Jesus did just to keep us free from sin?

REFLECTION

  • What would “dying to sin” look like in the life of a Christian?

1 PETER 2 SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE

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January 23

1 PETER 2

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperoras supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servantsof God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.  – 1 Peter 2:13-20

1 PETER 2 SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you have truly believed in Christ, you no longer live in the old life

You seek the truth constantly and you no longer speak lies

You fear God and submit to every human authority given to you

When you are mindful of pleasing God, you will endure sorrow

You no longer avoid suffering unjustly for the sake of Christ

It becomes an occasion to endure and grow your faith

You learn to silence the ignorance of foolish people

You expose their minds that are captured by the devil.

In this letter, Peter emphasizes the importance of submission to authorities. He says it is the will of God.

When we obey those leaders whom God has put in our lives to follow, we are also exercising obedience to God himself. But Peter mentions an interesting value of obedience and doing good in verse 15, he says that it silences the ignorance of foolish people. When we live obedient lives, we become free from many sins. We do not let ourselves be enticed by rebellion, entitlement and bitterness. We also learn to think less of our own beliefs and preferences. It makes us humble and lessens our pride.

In 1 Samuel 15:23, the prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul for disobeying God. It is self-will that made him disobey God’s will. There was idolatry in the form of controlling situations, so he can get to do what he thinks is better than what is being asked by God from him.  Samuel calls the sin of rebellion the same as witchcraft. Witches manipulate to control events or people whom they want to submit or bow down to them or to their whims. When we rebel, we don’t want the control of God but we want that control for ourselves. We defy what is good and do what we want to attain or achieve. When we disobey, it clearly shows that we do not fear the Lord or honor him. We love ourselves so much that we do not want to bow down to authority. Peter gives us a way out of rebellion or disobedience in verse 19. It is to keep your eyes on the Lord and be mindful of him. By doing so, you will endure sorrow and suffering.

REFLECTION

·       Why should Christians silence the ignorance of foolish people?

GENESIS 4 SIN CROUCHES AT THE DOOR

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January 22

GENESIS 4

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.”– Genesis 4:1-7

GENESIS 4 SIN CROUCHES AT THE DOOR

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you do not honor the Lord your God with your best offering

You’ll be tempted to restrain your giving; sin is at the door waiting

When you give back to God the best of what he has blessed you with

You are acknowledging him and recognizing his meeting your needs

When you hold back to honor God and keep the best for yourself

You are truly opening that door for the enemy to enter your heart.

The bible didn’t specify the time lapse from the fall of their parents up until Abel and Cain were born. It could have been many days, months or years since they were evicted from the garden, but it wasn’t mentioned in Moses’ account. We clearly witnessed how the original sin of Adam and Eve manifested in their children. It is interesting that one of them was a tiller of the ground (a farmer) and another, a keeper of the sheep (a shepherd). One of the curses of the sins on Adam was that he will till the ground for food which he didn’t have to do before the fall. Adam was given the authority to name all animals and be the caretaker of them. After the fall, he needs to get from these animals their clothing. Before the fall, they didn’t need clothes, they were naked and didn’t have shame to hide their bodies.  

So, what was the sin addressed in this story? They still didn’t have the law that required the first fruits to be offered to God at this time.  They both had been called to work the ground and the animals for the source of their needs. How come God favored Abel and not Cain even though they both gave God an offering? The difference lies in their heart’s intentions. Abel honored God by giving the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. Cain, on the other hand, just got a fruit from his land which probably wasn’t the first fruit or the best of his harvest. His heart was not honoring God. It was just offering for the sake of it. There was no regard to his Lord. In fact, it sounded like he was dismissing and withholding from God what blessing he was given and keeping the best to himself. Then Cain was mad that his offering wasn’t accepted by God. Then God rebuked him that if he had given his best, it would have been accepted as well. Because of his greedy heart, Cain opened the door for the devil to work further on his heart to be envious of Abel and to kill him later in the story.

REFLECTION

·       How was the curse of sin over mankind clearly manifested in this story of Cain and Abel?