This Post Is for (Gonna-Be) Murderer... I Mean... You! (Genesis 4:3-8)

“Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk. God spoke to Cain: ‘Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.’ Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him”
(Genesis 4:3-8, The Message)

The brokenness of the post-Fall world reached a new level in the relationship between Cain and Abel, the first brothers. One day they both brought their offering to God. Abel, a herdsman, brought an animal; Cain, however, brought fruits or/and vegetables.

God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and rejected Cain’s. Cain was furious – whether furious at God or Abel, the Bible doesn’t clearly say. Nor the Bible explained why God rejected Cain’s sacrifice, but it seems likely that it was due to the state of Cain’s heart that stood between him and God (NOT like what I heard from a pastor that said it was because of the type of offerings, vegetation versus animal sacrifice. It was not about technical part, it was about the conditions of the heart. See that Abel brought “choice cuts of meat” the best! But Cain probably brought an ordinary sacrifice, not the best).

“If you do well,” God admonished Cain, “won’t you be accepted?” God followed the question with a stern warning: “And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it” or as New King James put it: “you should rule over it.”

Even as God looked into Cain’s dark heart, He gave the first murderer a choice. But Cain chose to enslave himself rather than master his sin. Cain let it ruled over him. His barbaric act was a manifestation of a deeper sin inside. Each of us may have the same anger or hatred toward one another – family members and friends – but each of us also has the same choice as Cain. God says, “You’ve got to master it” or “You should ruled over it” because He knows, with and in Him, we can. What’s your choice? What we do with it is up to us.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Don't Say "I Love God" and Then Hate Others (1 John 4:19-21)

“We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers”

(1 John 4:19-21, NLT)

One of my favorite games during Bible Study is “pretending.” What did you like to pretend when you were a child? That you are the police? Doctor or nurse? Missionary or preacher? Superman or Batman? What? Many people grow up and still pretend. When they try to act concerned, they appear to be phony (a.k.a. plastic!). There is something about their tone of voice and their actions that don’t seem to ring true. We wonder if there are strings attached to their efforts if they want something in return.

For many of us, loving may not be a natural or easy thing to do. If we’re really honest, most of us would have to admit that we live most of our lives looking out for Number One – ourselves. To care about others can seem like such an obligation. We may hope that if we look the other way we can get away without having to love others. After all, aren’t we supposed to love ourselves as well?

Let me try, at least, to clear this up. True, we are to love ourselves – but that is only part of what God wants us to do. We are to love God because God first loved us. God has shown us that we count, that we are worthwhile and important. So, we can accept ourselves and appreciate who we are because of what God has done for us. But that is still only half the story. To say that we love God and still do not really care about others is to be a phony – “a liar”, in the Apostle John’s words. Jesus Himself says, “[I am] giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34).

How can we say “I love God” – whom we have not seen, and “hate” or avoid loving other people – whom we can see? John says we just can’t get away from it. To love God means we must learn to love other people. To show that we belong to God, and to show the world that God is real in us, we must get beyond what may not at first feel natural and do what is supernatural – to love and care for people, no matter how much or how little they deserve this love. That is how people will know that there really is a loving and compassionate God. “Those who love God must also love their fellow believers (first)” – and other people. Whenever it feels hard for me to love others, especially my enemies, I asked God, the source of love to fill me with His love: "I can't but You can - so, enable me, Lord!" 

What are the practical ways you can show that you care about others today?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus says Love and Hate are a Matter of Life and Death (1 John 3:14-15)

“If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them”

(1 John 3:14-15, NLT).

The Apostle John reminds us that in becoming followers of Jesus Christ, we actually “passed from death to life.” Proof of this is that: “we love our Christian brothers and sisters.” Showing love is vital evidence of our faith in Christ. It is the surest sign that we really do belong to God. To show hatred or indifference, on the other hand, is to be dead in a spiritual sense (read 1 Corinthians 13 about the nature of love).

We are also reminded here that we should show love, especially to God’s people, “our Christian brothers and sisters” in God’s family. One of the great benefits of being a Christian is that we never need to feel alone or rejected (but sadly, some people want to be alone). We are part of a family with relatives all around the world. And the bond of closeness that can develop is unlike that which happens in any relationship. Some of us are even closer to our brothers and sisters in Christ than our actual physical family! Indeed, God is our Father, Jesus is our older Brother, and fellow believers are our spiritual family. What a Big Family of God!

Just as we should look after the brothers and sisters in our earthly families, God wants us to look after and care for our new relatives – those who are in our spiritual family. This also means that when we try to think of ways to show love, we should not shut ourselves off from people nearby who are in need. Right in our communities some people are lonely or hungry and need clothing or attention. Love will do something about it. Love, the Greek word agape, is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another [as explained in the Amplified Bible]. “Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions” (3:18).

Let’s talk about the subject of hatred. The Scriptures speak strongly about it. John says that “anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart.” The outward act may be different. In one case (murder), we actually do physical harm to someone; and in the other (hatred), we may wish he or she were dead. Both are the same by God’s standards. Why? Because to God the inner feelings of murder and hatred are the same. And if we don’t deal with our feelings of hatred, we may end up doing great harm to others. Jesus says, “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matthew 5:21-22). That’s a serious matter, my friends. 

Do you have anger and hatred toward your brothers and sisters in Christ now?

Remember: “Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Loves People But Why They Hated Him and the Christians so Much? (1 John 3:11-13)

It's not nail, but love that causes Him to died on the cross for us. Now, He is Alive! 

“This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you”

(1 John 3:11-13, NLT).

The Apostle John begins to summarize all of his teachings again with one key thought: “We should love one another.” I like the Amplified Bible translates this: “We should [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another” [The Greek word for “love” here is agape, it is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another]. Actually, it was Jesus Himself who first made this key teaching when He was on earth. He taught that our attitude should be one of service rather than of superiority. In other words, we should be humble and not just do it out of a sense of obligation or because we think we know more or are better than anyone else. “Just as I have loved you,” said Jesus, “so you too are to love one another” (John 13:34; 15:12).

After making this strong statement, John then warns us “not be like Cain,” who was the oldest son of Adam and Eve (read Genesis 4:1-16). We read that both Cain and his brother, Abel, brought offerings to God, as they were required to do. But evidently only Abel was sincere and showed faith. Abel was “a righteous man” (Hebrews 11:4) and “doing what was righteous.” Cain, however, “had been doing what was evil.” Cain’s worship was unacceptable to God because of the anger, envy, and hatred which he begin to build up within himself toward his brother. Finally, Cain lost control of his temper and he murdered his own blood brother, Abel. To complicated the situation even further, Cain not only become the first murderer, but he also lied to God and pretended as if he did not know what had happened (Genesis 4:9). In a sense, Cain is the supreme example of hatred. Your worship will not be heard and accepted by God if you harbour hatred toward others, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, “love one another.”

Linked to what John had said about “love one another,” he reminds us that we, however, should not be surprised if some people in the world hate us for no reason, even as we are trying to do what is right and good. “So don’t be surprised… if the world hates you.” Why do you think they get angry? Well, I think, to persons who are evil or not in a right relationship with God, someone else who is doing what is right is a walking reminder of his or her own shortcomings. They are offended. Even we do not mean it this way, others may thought or feel that we are judging them or acting superior, when in fact, they have reacted with resentment, hatred and jealousy to what is right and holy. Darkness hates light. “Don’t be surprised.”

Jesus received the same kind of reaction when He lived on earth. As He showed love to the most marginalized people – such as the sick, the poor and the needy – the religious leaders could hardly contain their anger. Was Jesus doing something evil? Was Jesus taking the advantage of other people? Was Jesus leading a rebellion? No, Jesus was doing good and righteous. They got so mad that they wanted to kill Jesus. So, if this happened to Jesus, we shouldn’t be surprised if people in the world do not always admire what we are trying to do or respond with gratitude for our efforts. Because the world is ruled by the devil, there is much hatred and envy, jealousy and resentment. And because of this, we should not get discouraged when people don’t respond as we hope they would. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world.” Jesus then concluded: “I chose you to come out of the world, so it hate you” (John 15:18-19).

A reminder: We need to be careful about our motives for showing love. If the reason we care is to feel accepted by others or to gain popularity or to get applause from people, we may be frequently disappointed, because people don’t always appreciate these efforts (Maybe those self-centred actions might get people interested and gain more followers). But if we care because we want to show our love for God by caring for others, then the response of the other person doesn’t really make much difference. We can love no matter what happens. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:14). Do it! Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Look at the Star. It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No! It's the King!

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’ King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:1-3, NLT). The wise men seeking “the newborn king of the Jews,” which led to Herod’s jealous rage. After all, Herod should be worship because he was the “king”, and reigned over the Jews at that time… so it seem…

The wise men seem to have specialized in astronomy, but they may have interpreted dreams and had other special knowledge and abilities. They referred to Jesus’ “star.” The Book of Numbers mentions a “star” (24:17) coming out of Jacob (refers to a location of God’s people), but how would the wise men have known that the star represented the Messiah? Perhaps they were descendants of Jews who had remained in Babylon after the Exile and thus grew up knowing the Old Testament prophecies. Or they may have studied ancient manuscripts. Or perhaps God had given them a special message. In any case, they travelled to Jerusalem, the capital city, expecting to find a young king there. Herod had no idea what they were talking about but felt threatened by this talk of a “king.” So he assembled the Jewish religious leaders and asked them.

“[Herod] called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, ‘Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?’ ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they said, ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel’” (Matthew 2:4-6). Interestingly, the Jewish leaders told Herod and the wise men that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2), but they didn’t go themselves. These visitors – the wise men – from faraway lands recognized Jesus as the Messiah when most of God’s chosen people in Israel did not.

The wise men travelled thousands of miles searching for the One who had been born King of the Jews. “The star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!” (Matthew 2:9-10). And when they found Jesus, the King of the Jews, the Messiah, God’s Son, they joyfully worshiped him and presented gifts fit for a king: “gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (2:11).

Think about this: Sometime knowing ‘about’ God doesn’t lead us to seeking the real God. King Herod was a very religious man, but when he found out that there was a “King” to be born, he was threatened, furious and rage to jealousy and planned to kill baby Jesus. The priests and teachers of religious leaders knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem as the Scriptures said and yet they didn’t go seeking Him for themselves. We can be religious, talks and talks, words by words, evangelized and teaching people, but it doesn’t matter to God if we didn’t seeking God’s King for ourselves. God always give us “star” that will lead us to Jesus. Like the wise men, our focus should be on the “star” and do whatever it takes to find the Truth. And when you find the Truth (I’m sure you will if you follow God’s lead), the “star” become insignificant to you because now you have found God’s King, the Messiah, God’s Son – Jesus Christ – and your heart will be filled with water spring of joy! The immediate reaction will be telling, you can’t help it but to burst in worship!

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, NLT)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

What Jesus Does for You

What Jesus Does for You

By Frances Ure

Jesus takes the lone out of loneliness,

And puts the friend into friendship.

Jesus takes the fear out of fearful,

And puts trust into trusting.

Jesus takes the fright out of frightful,

And puts peace into peaceful.

Jesus takes the doubt out of doubting,

And puts believe into believing.

Jesus takes the hate out of hating,

And puts love into loving.

Jesus takes the curse out of cursing,

And puts bless into blessing.

Jesus takes the down out of downcast,

And puts lift into uplift.

Jesus takes the grief out of grieving,

And puts happy into happiness.

Jesus takes the sin out of sinful,

And puts forgive into forgiveness.

Jesus takes the sick out of sickness,

And puts health into healthy.

Jesus puts the gold into the Golden Rule – isn’t He wonderful!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.