Why would God tell us the story of Cain and Abel? The Bible may seem like a really long book to most people, but in reality the information recorded in it is the condensed version of all that ever happen. So, God's choice of what He shared with us from the people's lives recorded in its pages must be the most important bits, and they will benefit us the most. Another important fact to remember is the way in which God chooses to teach us from His word. To properly understand His word, we must study it in a typical sense (I Corinthians 12:11). The accounts of Cain and Abel's lives teach us more than the surface stuff of "don't betray and murder your brother." It has implications that teaches us about our proper walk with God.
Recall from our past studies that there has been a progression in God's word. Typically speaking, He has developed the idea of salvation. For example:
1.) The restoration of the Earth over six days taught us that God initiates salvation and it is through His miraculous power that we are saved. No work of our own can enter into this salvation.
2.) Through the fall of Adam and Eve, and their salvation we learn more. God reiterates His role as the seeker, and worker. God came to Adam and Eve. God slayed the unknown animal. God used it to cover their nakedness (sin). We also learn that it takes the shedding of blood to make us right with God. God also promises to us in the account a Redeemer. We also learn of our great enemy, who wishes to take from us all that God wants to give us (life, blessings, and a position of rulership). In our creation, we also learned that God created us in His image. We are spirit, soul, and body; and that those three parts are in need of salvation.
Now we come to Cain and Abel. These men are a contrast even though they are brothers. We are taught at least two types from what is recorded of these men. In one type, God contrasts the faithful believer's life (Abel) with that of the unfaithful believer's life (Cain). In the other type, God contrasts Jesus (Abel) with that of the nation of Israel (Cain). I want to explore the first type with you in this study.
"And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." Genesis 4:1-2
1.) Cain and Abel were brothers. Unfaithful and the faithful Christians are also brothers. If you don't think that it is possible for a true Christian brother to be unfaithful, read what James 5:19-20 states:
"Bretheren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."
It is very important that you distinguish between the spirit and the soul, or else you will miss the point entirely. Our spirits are saved when we place our faith in Christ for salvation. Our souls are saved through faith and good works directed by the Holy Spirit. In other words, our souls are saved through faithfulness. So, it is entirely possible for someone to be a true believer in the Lord Jesus, but be unfaithful. Thus, this true believer, who is destined to go to heaven, will suffer the death of his soul. Soul death is not hell. Soul death has to do with the loss of reward.
2.) Cain and Abel both had an occupation. God has given to every Christian the responsibility of working for Him. Consider what Luke 19: 11-13 states.
"And as they heard these things, He added and spake a parable, because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman (Jesus) went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants(all believers), and delievered unto them ten pounds (all God's goods), and said unto them, Occupy (do business) till I come."
If you finish the parable, you will notice that only two of the ten actually did what was required of them, and they were rewarded with rulership. The third, hid his Lord's business even though he knew better. He suffered loss as a result. Then you have the other seven, who did nothing. They received an even greater judgement. There was a separation (a death) that they suffered. They suffered the death of their souls.
Consider Colossians 3:23-25:
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."
Consider 1 Thessalonians 1:9 -10:
"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
From these passages, it becomes quite clear that we are expected to serve. Service is a choice to work for God. It does require faith, but it also requires work. Our initial salvation in which we become Christians requires no work on our part. Our works can not enter into that realm. But our soul salvation requires us to work, to render service to our God. Good and faithful service receives a reward, while bad, and unfaithful service receives loss of reward.
Genesis 4:3-5 states:
"And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."
3.) Cain and Abel both brought to God the fruits of their labor. Abel brought the best that he had been blessed with by God, while Cain didn't bring the best. God accepted Abel and his offering, but he rejected Cain and his offering. Many commentators say that the type of offering (from the ground) was what made God reject his offering. This isn't the case. This offering wasn't to be blood sacrifice, it was gift of what God had blessed them with. A giving back of the very best. Cain got mad, and his countenance fell when God didn't a second best offering.
Christians are also to bring to God their very best. We have the choice of doing bringing the best or keeping it for ourselves. When we give back to God the very best that we have been blessed with, He accepts us and our offering. The neat thing is, He rejoices over us and blesses us with more. This blessing primarily occurs in the Kingdom Age.
A passage of scripture that seems to indicate this is found in Matthew 19:27-30:
"Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory (during the Kingdom Age), ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every on that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive and hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first."
It isn't that the things Jesus speaks of are bad for us, or even against Him. It is that we have to put all things and relationships in their proper perspective. Everything, even the things that He gives to us in order to bless us, must be placed behind Him in importance. So much so, we would be willing to give them up to Him if He asks for them. Abel was willing to do this, Cain was not. Are we an Abel, or are we a Cain? The proper kind of offering to God can be painful to be sure, but the rewards for placing God as first in our lives will be well worth it.
4.) Notice something else. Cain's focus was in the wrong direction. His countenance had fallen. His focus was on the earth. This isn't without significance. Cain chose to look down, and not up toward God. A Christian who does this, can expect the same type of results in their life that Cain got.
Consider Colossians 3:1-10
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above , not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify (kill) therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleaness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience (His disobedient children): In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication our of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:"
Now in the passage it tells us of the results of looking above and seeking the things that are above. The implication is clear that looking below (having a fallen countenance) leads to a life lived for self. It leads to a life of unfaithfulness and disobedience.
Genesis 4:6-7 states:
"And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth (to be hot, furious, burn, become angry)? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."
5.) God is the seeker, even of a rebellious child. God tells Cain that he can be accepted. He must act in a manner that puts God first in his life. God warns him that if he doesn't, that sin is waiting to overcome him. In the end, though, Cain was told that he would eventually overcome sin (more on that later). Now, apply this to the unfaithful believer. God loves His children and desires that they set Him as number one in their lives. When they don't, He seeks them out and speaks to their heart, drawing them back to Himself. He doesn't tolerate the wrong behavior, and He does tell them how they can correct it.
Consider Hebrews 12:5-13:
"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised therby. Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for you feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."
This passage, of course, is talking to believers. And from the passage it is clear to see that it is possible for us to not endure the chastening of the Lord, otherwise the word "if" would not have been used. Not being in subjection to the Father results in death, soul death. His chastening is designed to bring about our profit, and being able to partake of His holiness. If we don't endure it, the implication is that we will not profit, and we will not partake. Cain refused the correction of God, and it resulted in loss of profit and not being able to partake.
To be continued...
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Random Quote #3
A book I read some time back had this quote in it. It was an imaginary conversation between the founder of Buddhism and Jesus. I thought that it was a pretty good quote.
"One cannot sacrifice truth at the altar of respect. To be sure truth doesn't eliminate respect. But respect should not be an end in itself." p. 81 The Lotus and the Cross by Ravi Zacharias
I hope that this is an encouragement to you not to back down when the truth needs to be said. To temper your use of the sword of truth, also remember the following quote by the same man.
"One cannot communicate the Love of Christ in non-loving terms." p. 150 The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel.
"One cannot sacrifice truth at the altar of respect. To be sure truth doesn't eliminate respect. But respect should not be an end in itself." p. 81 The Lotus and the Cross by Ravi Zacharias
I hope that this is an encouragement to you not to back down when the truth needs to be said. To temper your use of the sword of truth, also remember the following quote by the same man.
"One cannot communicate the Love of Christ in non-loving terms." p. 150 The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel.
Been a while...
Hey guys,
I'm about ready to jump into another study with you guys. School has been way too busy, so that is the reason for my lack of progress. I hope to hear from you guys again when we start! See you soon and God Bless.
Steve
I'm about ready to jump into another study with you guys. School has been way too busy, so that is the reason for my lack of progress. I hope to hear from you guys again when we start! See you soon and God Bless.
Steve
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Was Cain saved?
Now that we have looked at some basic principles of interpretation, let's go on to look at the account of Cain and Abel. First, let's remind ourselves what the account states.
"And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." Genesis 4:1-5
This is how we are introduced to the two brothers. Cain, whose name means acquisition or possession, was the first-born son of Adam and Eve. Abel, whose name means breath or exhalation, was the second-born son. It has been suggested that they were twins, but whether they were or not really doesn't matter. God gives us no details of their lives up unto the point that they were adults with professions. Abel was a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. Both of these men brought offerings to the Lord. Commonly, it is thought that Cain was unsaved. This isn't the case. The reasoning that most have to prove that he was unsaved has to do with his reaction to God after he is chastised, and other scriptures that speak pretty harshly of him. For example:
"Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not, whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." 1 John 3:6-12
Now, before we jump to the conclusion that Cain was unsaved, answer for yourself a few questions. Have you been born again? If the answer to that question is yes, then do you still sin? If the answer to that question is also yes, then the passage taken by itself and understood as it is normally interpreted presents us a problem. If we take this passage out of its context, then we might be tempted to say that believers don't sin (at all or habitually) after being saved. These assumptions are incorrect. We know that from experience, and we know that from what is clearly revealed in the Word of God. 1 John helps us to understand the concept a little better:
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:6-10
In 1 John 1 it is clearly stated by John (who includes himself) that all believers sin. If we claim that we have not, or do not then we are saying that God is a liar. So salvation of our spirits doesn't preclude us from committing sin. Then what is John saying when he states: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin? He is saying that a particular part of our being, our spirit, is sinless. Our spirit is what has been born again through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8). So, if the issue isn't about being birthed from above, then what is it about? It is about good works or evil works of the believer. John is saying that good works result from having the slate clean with the Lord as far as our sins go, and also walking in the light provided by the Word of God. Believers who do not keep the slate clean with the Lord, and choose to follow the works of darkness are not righteous and can be classified as "of the devil".
Need more proof? Think about Peter. Was the apostle Peter a believer in the Lord Jesus? This seems to be almost a pointless question, because of course Peter was saved. Now read this passage:
"He saith unto them, But Whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven...
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou are an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:15-17, and 21-24
Peter was called Satan, not just accused of being "of" Satan. Peter by his actions, acted in league with the devil. His works were not of faith and they had their inspiration from the devil. The same can be true of other believers. The same can be said of Cain.
Now, many point to the offering that Cain brought to the Lord as compared to the one brought by his brother as proof that he was unsaved. Let's look at what type of offering was actually being made.
"And in the process of time (at the end of time, at the appointed time) it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering (minchah = gift) unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering (minchah = gift): But unto Cain and to his offering (minchah = gift) he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." Genesis 4:3-5
A minchah (Strong's # H4503) is a gift or offering that doesn't require a blood sacrifice. It is an offering of the best someone had been blessed with. Cain had been blessed by God with a harvest, while Abel had been blessed with a flock. What Abel brought was acceptable because he brought the firstlings of the flock, the best he had to offer. Cain didn't bring the first fruits. He had kept that for himself. He just brought to God of the harvest, not the best of the harvest. From the example set early on in the shedding of blood to cover the sins of Adam and Eve, it can be clearly seen that this gift brought to God had nothing to do with the salvation of Cain or Abel. It had to do with giving back to God a portion of what they had been blessed with. God will not play second fiddle to anything or anyone. When we don't bring to him our very best, or honor Him with first place in our lives, He takes it personally. He doesn't respect our gift, or us.
Another passage of scripture that many use as proof of the unsaved condition of Cain is found in Jude. The central message in Jude is the earnest contention for the faith. This faith is not faith in Jesus for salvation, which the book refers to as the "common salvation." This faith has to do with the attainment of a reward through a faithful life lived for the Lord. What Jude was led to write concerned the apostate teaching brought in by unfaithful believers. This teaching was a corruption of the truth that had been first delivered unto believers about the need for qualification to obtain a reward. Jude describes the apostates bringing in this heresy.
"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core." Jude 8-11
Jude compares these apostates to Cain, Balaam, and Core. He does this to fully describe the path to apostasy. Balaam was a prophet of God. He was, of necessity, a believer. Balaam had agreed with Balak to pronounce a curse upon the children of Israel. His error was to compromise the word of God for monetary gain. That sounds familiar. Have you seen any televangelist programs lately? Balaam was eventually killed by the children of Israel at God's command.
Core was an Israelite marching in the desert with Moses. Core, or Korah, was a saved Israeli, he had applied the blood of the lamb in Egypt and even passed through the sea with all Israel (Jude 5). Korah, and all those involved with his rebellion, questioned God's word by questioning if Moses and Aaron should be the leaders of the children of Israel (Numbers 11). This rebellion against God's word led to God judging them right then and there. The Earth swallowed them up, and they went straight to sheol (the place of the dead).
Finally, the way of Cain. Cain's way was to offer to God less than the best, refusing God's correction, and falling headlong into the grievous sin of murder. Before we assume that this is an impossibility for the Christian, consider the following passage:
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you (believers)? let him shew out of a good conversation (behavior) his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. From whence come wars and fightings among you (believers)? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." James 3:13- 4:2
In each of these accounts, the perpetrators lost sight of the revealed will and word of God. They went into error either because they sought money, power, or to keep the best for themselves. Christians can do exactly the same things. And if they do, they should expect no better fate than the one each of these men faced...judgment from God. Cain was indeed saved, but he was a believer who lived for himself and not for the God that had saved him.
"And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." Genesis 4:1-5
This is how we are introduced to the two brothers. Cain, whose name means acquisition or possession, was the first-born son of Adam and Eve. Abel, whose name means breath or exhalation, was the second-born son. It has been suggested that they were twins, but whether they were or not really doesn't matter. God gives us no details of their lives up unto the point that they were adults with professions. Abel was a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. Both of these men brought offerings to the Lord. Commonly, it is thought that Cain was unsaved. This isn't the case. The reasoning that most have to prove that he was unsaved has to do with his reaction to God after he is chastised, and other scriptures that speak pretty harshly of him. For example:
"Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not, whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." 1 John 3:6-12
Now, before we jump to the conclusion that Cain was unsaved, answer for yourself a few questions. Have you been born again? If the answer to that question is yes, then do you still sin? If the answer to that question is also yes, then the passage taken by itself and understood as it is normally interpreted presents us a problem. If we take this passage out of its context, then we might be tempted to say that believers don't sin (at all or habitually) after being saved. These assumptions are incorrect. We know that from experience, and we know that from what is clearly revealed in the Word of God. 1 John helps us to understand the concept a little better:
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:6-10
In 1 John 1 it is clearly stated by John (who includes himself) that all believers sin. If we claim that we have not, or do not then we are saying that God is a liar. So salvation of our spirits doesn't preclude us from committing sin. Then what is John saying when he states: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin? He is saying that a particular part of our being, our spirit, is sinless. Our spirit is what has been born again through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8). So, if the issue isn't about being birthed from above, then what is it about? It is about good works or evil works of the believer. John is saying that good works result from having the slate clean with the Lord as far as our sins go, and also walking in the light provided by the Word of God. Believers who do not keep the slate clean with the Lord, and choose to follow the works of darkness are not righteous and can be classified as "of the devil".
Need more proof? Think about Peter. Was the apostle Peter a believer in the Lord Jesus? This seems to be almost a pointless question, because of course Peter was saved. Now read this passage:
"He saith unto them, But Whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven...
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou are an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:15-17, and 21-24
Peter was called Satan, not just accused of being "of" Satan. Peter by his actions, acted in league with the devil. His works were not of faith and they had their inspiration from the devil. The same can be true of other believers. The same can be said of Cain.
Now, many point to the offering that Cain brought to the Lord as compared to the one brought by his brother as proof that he was unsaved. Let's look at what type of offering was actually being made.
"And in the process of time (at the end of time, at the appointed time) it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering (minchah = gift) unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering (minchah = gift): But unto Cain and to his offering (minchah = gift) he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." Genesis 4:3-5
A minchah (Strong's # H4503) is a gift or offering that doesn't require a blood sacrifice. It is an offering of the best someone had been blessed with. Cain had been blessed by God with a harvest, while Abel had been blessed with a flock. What Abel brought was acceptable because he brought the firstlings of the flock, the best he had to offer. Cain didn't bring the first fruits. He had kept that for himself. He just brought to God of the harvest, not the best of the harvest. From the example set early on in the shedding of blood to cover the sins of Adam and Eve, it can be clearly seen that this gift brought to God had nothing to do with the salvation of Cain or Abel. It had to do with giving back to God a portion of what they had been blessed with. God will not play second fiddle to anything or anyone. When we don't bring to him our very best, or honor Him with first place in our lives, He takes it personally. He doesn't respect our gift, or us.
Another passage of scripture that many use as proof of the unsaved condition of Cain is found in Jude. The central message in Jude is the earnest contention for the faith. This faith is not faith in Jesus for salvation, which the book refers to as the "common salvation." This faith has to do with the attainment of a reward through a faithful life lived for the Lord. What Jude was led to write concerned the apostate teaching brought in by unfaithful believers. This teaching was a corruption of the truth that had been first delivered unto believers about the need for qualification to obtain a reward. Jude describes the apostates bringing in this heresy.
"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core." Jude 8-11
Jude compares these apostates to Cain, Balaam, and Core. He does this to fully describe the path to apostasy. Balaam was a prophet of God. He was, of necessity, a believer. Balaam had agreed with Balak to pronounce a curse upon the children of Israel. His error was to compromise the word of God for monetary gain. That sounds familiar. Have you seen any televangelist programs lately? Balaam was eventually killed by the children of Israel at God's command.
Core was an Israelite marching in the desert with Moses. Core, or Korah, was a saved Israeli, he had applied the blood of the lamb in Egypt and even passed through the sea with all Israel (Jude 5). Korah, and all those involved with his rebellion, questioned God's word by questioning if Moses and Aaron should be the leaders of the children of Israel (Numbers 11). This rebellion against God's word led to God judging them right then and there. The Earth swallowed them up, and they went straight to sheol (the place of the dead).
Finally, the way of Cain. Cain's way was to offer to God less than the best, refusing God's correction, and falling headlong into the grievous sin of murder. Before we assume that this is an impossibility for the Christian, consider the following passage:
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you (believers)? let him shew out of a good conversation (behavior) his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. From whence come wars and fightings among you (believers)? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." James 3:13- 4:2
In each of these accounts, the perpetrators lost sight of the revealed will and word of God. They went into error either because they sought money, power, or to keep the best for themselves. Christians can do exactly the same things. And if they do, they should expect no better fate than the one each of these men faced...judgment from God. Cain was indeed saved, but he was a believer who lived for himself and not for the God that had saved him.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Random Quotes #2
"Indeed if we consider the unblushing promise of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards pormised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are too easily pleased." C. S. Lewis
"A third and final misconception is that it is selfish to think of rewards as a proper motivation to serve Christ.
Of course, it is quite right that we should serve God simply because He is God and worthy of our devotion. Yes, we should serve Him because we love Him rather than wanting a better position in the kingdom. Servants should simply serve, expecting nothing in return. But, as we shall see, there is more than one motivation for serving Christ, Love is one; fear, another.
Another motivation for serving is a strong desire that we should please Christ, Who is eager to share His inheritance with us. It is not selfish to want Christ's approval. He wants us to win the right to rule with Him in the Kingdom, and that should be our passionate yearning."
Your Eternal Reward, p. 15 and 16. E. W. Lutzer (Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago)
"A third and final misconception is that it is selfish to think of rewards as a proper motivation to serve Christ.
Of course, it is quite right that we should serve God simply because He is God and worthy of our devotion. Yes, we should serve Him because we love Him rather than wanting a better position in the kingdom. Servants should simply serve, expecting nothing in return. But, as we shall see, there is more than one motivation for serving Christ, Love is one; fear, another.
Another motivation for serving is a strong desire that we should please Christ, Who is eager to share His inheritance with us. It is not selfish to want Christ's approval. He wants us to win the right to rule with Him in the Kingdom, and that should be our passionate yearning."
Your Eternal Reward, p. 15 and 16. E. W. Lutzer (Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
How should we interpret the Bible?
I was just thinking that it would be good for us to go over some basic principles for interpreting the Bible before we press on. It is often said that there are as many interpretations of the Bible as there people who try to interpret it. In reality, there is only one correct way in which the Bible should be interpreted, and that is according to the interpretation of the One Who wrote it. It really is a sad commentary on Christianity that we have so many denominations and sects. When I think of all the divisions that exist between us, I come to the conclusion that they have all originated from our lack of understanding of the truth. We often misinterpret, misapply, and mishandle the scriptures. We do this many times from our own selfish natures, but there is still room to lay some blame on our great enemy for this mass of confusion. So, I thought I would let you know how I go about studying the Bible. I thought I'd give to you some of the keys that have been given to me over the last 15 years, whereby the Bible has stopped being a scramble of unconnected stories that seem to contradict, and has become the living, breathing, Word of God.
1.) The very first thing that must be settled in your heart to properly understand the Bible is that it is the infallible Word of God. I know that it may seem a small point, but the Bible does say some pretty outrageous things at times. It asserts things that seem more like science fiction than anything that has really occurred. The problem with leaving this unsettled is that God tends to leave us in the dark about deeper truth if we reject the truth He has already supplied to us. He takes it personally when we don't take Him at His word.
2.) It is also important to understand what the Bible has been written for. The Bible is not a scientific text, but when it speaks to scientific matters, it is correct. We should never try to use science (or archeology, or philosophy, etc.) to prove the Bible, the Bible should be used to prove/disprove science (etc.). The Bible was written with the goal of salvation of the entirety of man's being (spirit, soul, and body) through a personal relationship with God Almighty (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
3.) The first mention principle is a valuable tool for interpretation. Simply stated, when a concept is first mentioned in the Bible, its meaning is set throughout the rest of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. If God makes any changes in the meaning, it is very evident.
4.) The Bible will interpret itself. If you don't understand a portion of the scriptures, then keep reading. God wants us to understand His word. He won't leave us in the dark if we want to walk in the light.
5.) When God repeats Himself in His word: LISTEN. He is trying to get across a point to us. His word is His mind on the subject, and if He repeats Himself, it isn't to "hear His head roar," so-to-speak.
6.) Every part of the Bible is important... yes, even the genealogies. Some of the most precious gems are mined from some of the most boring parts of the Word.
7.) Read the Bible with an open mind. Don't allow traditions from your family, or your denomination, dictate to you what the Bible says. Honestly, I think that the majority of the time God has to deprogram us from what we've heard others say that the Bible teaches in order for us to learn what He really is teaching us.
8.) Don't separate what God has joined in the Bible, and don't join what God has separated. For example: spirit and soul are not the same thing. God makes a clear distinction between the two. Another example: Israel and the Church are not the same thing. Christians are not Jews, but they are not Gentiles either.
9.) Always take a passage of scripture in its context. The majority of the Bible has been written to saved individuals about how to live a Godly life. Some of the Bible is written for the salvation of unbelievers. Some of the Bible is addressed to the Jews, some of it is addressed to Christians, and some of it is applicable to everyone. Learn how to distinguish. God usually states who He is addressing in the context of the passage. For example, I am not living in sin because I don't go up to Jerusalem three times a year to sacrifice to the Lord. Similarly, it is okay for me to wear clothing that has mixed fibers in it. A Jew living under the Law could face death for these offenses. With that said, don't throw away the Old Testament, because it still has something to say to us.
10.) God hasn't always dealt with mankind in the same fashion. His dealings with mankind have varied. Thus, there have been different dispensations (God's management of the household) throughout history. Most people at least see Law and Grace. I see more like seven different dispensations as follows: Innocence (in the Garden of Eden), Conscience (Adam and Eve after the fall through to the Flood), Human Government (Flood to Tower of Babel), Promise (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, through to the giving of the Law at Sinai), Law (Sinai to the Cross), Grace (Cross to the Rapture), and Kingdom (1000 year reign of Christ). You could also divide the history of mankind in another way: when God dealt with mankind as a whole (Adam and Eve through to Tower of Babel), when God dealt with mankind through the Jew (Abraham to the Cross, and during Tribulation), and when God dealt with mankind through the Church (Cross to Rapture).
11.) Word studies are a wonderful tool. A word study is where you take a word or short phrase in the Bible, look up all its occurrences, and find the meaning behind the word through the context and a good Hebrew or Greek concordance. It does little good to read a book that you don't understand what the words mean that make it up. This also relates to the first mention principle, you can see what God has intended a particular word to mean just by looking at its first mention in the Word and applying it throughout. For example, "Leaven" is mentioned in a negative sense in the Old Testament. We shouldn't suddenly give it good connotations when God uses the same word in the New Testament.
12.) Where the Bible is silent, we should be silent. Where the Bible speaks, we should speak. In other words, don't try to force your own convictions or traditions into the interpretation. Only use what the Word of God actually teaches to prove your point. Use the Word to do your talking.
13.) Always interpret the Bible literally, unless the context requires allegorical interpretation.
14.) Always pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you His word. Ask Him to reveal to you the person of Jesus, and His plans for you and the world.
15.) Types will open up the word of God. Most people don't know what a type is. There are three Greek words in the New Testament that can be used to indicate a "type."
tupos (Strong's # G5179) - a die (as struck), i.e. a stamp or scar, a shape, i.e. a statue, or resemblance; a sampler (type), i.e. a model or instance.
This word is translated several ways: 1.) Print (John 20:25), 2.) Figure(s) (Acts 7:43, Romans 5:14), 3.) Fashion (Acts 7:44), 4.) Manner (Acts 23:25), 5.) Form (Romans 6:17), 6.) Example(s) (1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Timothy 4:12), 7.) Ensample(s) (1 Corinthians 10:11, Philippians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:9, 1 Peter 5:3) and 8.) Pattern (Titus 2:7, Hebrews 8:5).
hupogrammos (Strong's # G5261) - an underwriting, i.e. copy.
This word is translated as example (1 Peter 2:21).
hupodigma (Strong's # G5262) - an exhibit for imitation or warning.
This word is translated several ways: 1.) Example (John 13:15, Hebrews 4:11, 8:5, James 5:10), 2.) Pattern(s) (Hebrews 9:23), and 3.) Ensample (2 Peter 2:6).
The primary word used for "type" is "tupos." In fact, this is the place that the English word "type" comes from. Simply put, a type is an example. It is a representation of a truth that God desires for us to learn. God recorded in His word the events in the Old Testament and New Testament for the purpose of revealing His truth to us. These types show us about Jesus, the central figure of scripture, about prophesy, and about how we should live.
"Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:25-27
For example, in the story of the fall, God killed an animal to make Adam and Eve coats of skins to clothe them. The animal is a type of Christ. Consider the following:
Animal (Type of Christ)
1.) The animal's identity was "unknown."
2.) God killed the animal.
3.) The animal's blood was shed.
4.) The animal was a substitute for Adam and Eve.
5.) The animal was innocent.
6.) The animal was used to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness (sin).
7.) God moved on behalf of Adam and Eve in response to their faith.
8.) Adam and Eve had no work to perform, God did it all.
Jesus Christ (Antitype)
1.) The world did not know Jesus when He was in it. (John 1:10)
2.) God gave His only begotten Son. The Son laid down His life, no man took it from Him. (John 3:16, 10:17-18)
3.) It is obvious that Jesus' blood was shed. (Revelations 1:5)
4.) Jesus was killed for us. He bore the punishment that was due us. (Romans 3:25)
5.) Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God. (Hebrews 4:15)
6.) Jesus Christ's blood not only covers, it cleanses us from our sin. (Hebrews 9:7-14)
7.) Jesus died on our behalf. When we believe in faith, He saves us. (Ephesians 2:1-9, Romans 5:8)
8.) Man has no work to perform. God does it all. (Ephesians 2:1-9)
There are many more examples throughout scripture of types. There are types of Christ, types of Christians, types of the Children of Israel, types of God the Father, types of the Holy Spirit, types that illustrate God's plan for mankind, etc. These types will help you understand the word of God, and have a proper interpretation of it. Types also build upon one another. They give a progressive illumination of the truths of God. For example, the animal sacrificed by God in the Garden builds upon the truth revealed to us in the restoration of the Earth. In the restoration of the Earth, we learned that it is God that moves to restore a ruined creation, but we learn nothing about the need for the shedding of blood, or the need for a substitute. God has carefully designed His word so that He can use it to build us up into a mature knowledge of Him. He has recorded exactly what He wants us to know, and He has recorded it in the order He wants us to learn it.
16.) Begin studying the Word of God where He began it - in Genesis. End where He ends - in Revelation. You can't understand Revelation until you have some understanding of Genesis. Genesis is more fully explained by Revelation than it is when looked at alone. The Bible is a progressive revelation, but it is also a cohesive whole.
17.) Numbers and colors are also pretty important in scripture. For example the number 6 is the number of man. On the 6th day man was created. Blue is the color of heaven. Numbers and colors do have significance.
I am sure that I have left out something that I use as a guideline, but the ones that I have listed will get you pretty far. These are the guidelines that I use, and I have found them to be a necessary help to properly interpreting scripture.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
What happened at the Fall? (Part 2)
In the last blog, we left man at his most desperate state- fallen, apart from God, and trying to cover his own sin by his own effort. In this blog, I want to take us from this low point through to the breaking forth of new light. But to do that, it will be necessary to tease out the precious gems that are in the passages that we are considering together. This practice can sometimes be difficult, but the rewards for it are definitely worth the effort.
Genesis 3:7-8 states:
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden."
What is so precious about this passage, and where the light starts to shine forth, lies in the fact that God seeks out His fallen creation. The pattern that was established with the ruined earth is now confirmed again with the ruined man. We see in this passage the pattern that always exists... sinful, dead, and fallen man never seeks after the true God that demands obedience and offers unconditional love at the same time. We run. We hide. We try to cover our own sins. Other deities offer only a self-help form of salvation, which is no salvation at all. It matters little which religion you look at. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, and even modern day Judaism only offer a "good works" based salvation. It is my fear that Christianity has fallen into some of the same patterns as these religions when we require people to "act like they are saved" after simple faith in Christ in order to "stay saved" or prove to others that they are saved. It is my firm belief that God does want and expect us to do good works, but I am of the equal conviction that salvation is only based upon grace through faith in the "good work" of another, namely Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-10 states:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Notice that this passage in no way says that you have to do good works to prove that you are saved or to remain saved. The Lord is very clear that our salvation is based in the work of Jesus, that this salvation is a gift to us, and that it is apart from any work that we have performed, are performing, or will perform. Grace is God's unmerited favour. Faith is trusting what God has said. When we trust in what God has done in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, He shows us unmerited favour, and we are born spiritually. We are saved. This is a once only transaction. It can't be repeated any more than our first birth from our mother's womb. It can no more be undone than that birth either. We are born again to do good works, but we still have the free-will to choose not to.
What has brought about the confusion of good works and salvation is that we really don't understand what the Bible teaches. We confuse passages that speak to our rewarding in heaven, or the offer of rulership with Christ, with being saved eternally. This happens because we don't distinguish between the spirit and the soul. Now, hopefully, we can get into this topic more in another study. For right now, let's get back to Adam, Eve, and the God Who sought them.
Notice in the passage; "And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." Funny. I've never heard a voice walk. This little phrase gives us a clue to which of the members of the Godhead sought after Adam and Eve. A voice implies that there are words being spoken. So, they heard the Word of the Lord God walking. Who is the Word of God? It is none other than the Lord Jesus. In John 1:1-2 and 14 we read:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
What was this voice of the Lord God saying to Adam and Eve? What was Jesus saying to them?
"And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" Genesis 3:9.
Why would God ever have to ask a question? Doesn't He know the answer? He is God, after all. God asks questions in order to get us thinking. He isn't seeking after information that He doesn't possess, because God knows everything. What is the significance of the question "Where art thou?" God wants Adam to do some self-evaluation. He wants Adam to realize his deep need for Him. He wants Adam to realize that he and God are now separated from one another because of Adam's sin. Adam had died spiritually.
"And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Has thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." Genesis 3:10-12
It seems to me that God gives Adam a golden opportunity here. He could have judged his own disobedience. He could have ran to God, like a little child, and admitted his fault. What parent would reject their child, who has done wrong, when they come in honest, heartfelt repentance? Adam loses the opportunity though. He starts passing the blame. Even though the things he says are true, he doesn't own up to his part. He first lays some blame on God for giving the woman to him in the first place, and then he lays blame on the woman for him eating of the tree. It is almost as if Adam is saying that he had no fault or responsibility in the matter. Don't we do the same? We think that we can conceal from God our part in matters, but this is never the case. It is always better to come clean with God.
"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:5-10
Eve was given the same opportunity that Adam was given. God gives her a chance to come clean to Him.
"And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou has done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat" Genesis 3:13
Eve had a choice to make. She chose to follow her husband's example and pass the blame, instead of coming clean with God. Men, for better or for worse, we are the leaders of our homes. We should set the example of how to respond to God. This doesn't absolve our wives of their own responsibilities. It only adds more responsibility onto us. Leaders are responsible for their own actions, and for the leadership they give to others through their actions. Women, you really don't want to have the leadership position in your home.
Because they both failed to come clean to God, their judgment becomes more harsh. But even in God's judgment, there is the promise of redemption.
"And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou has done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Genesis 3:14
Isn't if funny how God doesn't even give Satan a chance to speak for himself? Satan's ultimate destiny had already been determined. There is to be no redemption for Satan and his demons. But in this proclamation, God foretells of the Redeemer Who is to come. This Redeemer is to be at war with Satan's seed, the Antichrist. This Redeemer will wound Satan's head, and will also be wounded by Satan. Jesus is the Seed of the woman. He was crucified (wounded) on the cross (Isaiah 53). Satan's head will be wounded and there will be war between Christ and Antichrist.
The warning about partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was that they would die in the day they ate of it. Did they? It appears from the text that they are still walking around and talking to God. Death, fundamentally, is separation. When we die physically, we are separated from this world, our friends and family, and our body. Spiritually speaking, man was separated from God the instant he partook of the fruit, thus the need for God to seek him out. What about physically? Did man die in the day that he ate of the fruit? Yes, he did. Adam and Eve could have lived forever in the original bodies that God fashioned for them. They could have done this because those bodies were sinless, up until the fall. When sin entered, death entered. At what age did Adam actually die? He was 930 years old (Genesis 5:5). Take into account the following when you think about Adam's age at death:
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9
God doesn't lie. What he told Adam would happen happened. Adam died spiritually, soulically, and bodily in the day that he partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The instant they ate of the tree, they were separated from God (death), and within 1000 years (1 day according to scripture) they had died. Incidentally, not one man has lived to 1000 years old. All men die within 1 day of their birth. Methuselah, the longest living man, died at 969 years old.
"Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception (thy sorrow with thy conception); in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam He said, Because thou has hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:16-19
Another consequence of the fall was that woman would have sorrow with conception. I'm convinced that this isn't just the physical act of birth. If you think about your parents, or any parents for that matter, which of the two feels the heartbreak of their children more? Which one is usually the "worry wart," so-to-speak? Honestly, it's often the mom. In fact, if you accidentally injured a child, which parent would you rather face - the mom or the dad? Most mothers are fiercely territorial of their families. That is a good thing, but it is also a curse, because they are often tormented by it.
Because Adam listened to his wife, and not to God, he would now have to work hard for his food, rather than having it within arm's reach. Traditionally, it has been the man's job to go into the world and bring back food for the family.
"And Adam called his wife's name Eve (life-giver); because she was the mother of all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Genesis 3:20-21
In these simple verses, we have the picture of salvation of the spirit. God had proclaimed that the seed of the woman would bruise Satan's head. In other words, there was to be a Redeemer Who was to come through the woman. Adam, in faith, names his wife Eve, or life-giver. It was a demonstration of his faith in what God had said. He believed that through Eve's seed there would be life again. In response, God gives another object lesson to Adam and Eve. He covers their nakedness with the skin of an animal. What had to happen to the animal for that to occur? It had to die. It's blood had to be shed. Had the animal done anything wrong? No. It was innocent. In this little illustration, God was showing Adam and Eve that the Redeemer would not only be bruised, but slain. His blood would be shed. He would be innocent of all sin, yet He would die in our place. Through His death our sin would be dealt with. Adam and Eve received the salvation of their spirits by grace through faith. Isn't it amazing? When we respond positively to God, He is quick to show us mercy. Adam and Eve were saved, even though they deserved to die and be eternally separated from God. Instead of remaining separated from God, God made them joined to Him spiritually again through grace by faith in the shedding of blood.
Now that they were saved, did they automatically regain their status in the garden? No. There were consequences to their disobedience. Now they would have to earn access to the tree of life through a lifetime of service to God.
"And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as One of Us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3:22-24
Access to the tree of life is a promise only to those who are saved and overcome, not to those who are just saved. Revelations gives proof of this. Keep in mind that biblically speaking, you are not a part of a church unless you are saved. Consider what is said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7:
"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy WORKS (not faith), and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou has tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and has found them liars: And hast borne, and has patience, and for My name's sake has laboured, and has not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen, and repent, and do the first Works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Christians, Believers, Saved Ones); To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Adam and Eve, like all of us, had to be first birthed spiritually (spirit salvation), then they were placed back in a position to qualify for rulership (access to the tree of life). But this qualification has now become much more difficult. Adam and Eve had to only reach out and eat of the tree of life for them to seal the deal for rulership. As a result of their disobedience, the way to the tree of life was barred. Access can only be given now after spirit salvation, and a life lived in obedience. Sin always has consequences. Obedience has consequences, too.
Genesis 3:7-8 states:
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden."
What is so precious about this passage, and where the light starts to shine forth, lies in the fact that God seeks out His fallen creation. The pattern that was established with the ruined earth is now confirmed again with the ruined man. We see in this passage the pattern that always exists... sinful, dead, and fallen man never seeks after the true God that demands obedience and offers unconditional love at the same time. We run. We hide. We try to cover our own sins. Other deities offer only a self-help form of salvation, which is no salvation at all. It matters little which religion you look at. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, and even modern day Judaism only offer a "good works" based salvation. It is my fear that Christianity has fallen into some of the same patterns as these religions when we require people to "act like they are saved" after simple faith in Christ in order to "stay saved" or prove to others that they are saved. It is my firm belief that God does want and expect us to do good works, but I am of the equal conviction that salvation is only based upon grace through faith in the "good work" of another, namely Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-10 states:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Notice that this passage in no way says that you have to do good works to prove that you are saved or to remain saved. The Lord is very clear that our salvation is based in the work of Jesus, that this salvation is a gift to us, and that it is apart from any work that we have performed, are performing, or will perform. Grace is God's unmerited favour. Faith is trusting what God has said. When we trust in what God has done in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, He shows us unmerited favour, and we are born spiritually. We are saved. This is a once only transaction. It can't be repeated any more than our first birth from our mother's womb. It can no more be undone than that birth either. We are born again to do good works, but we still have the free-will to choose not to.
What has brought about the confusion of good works and salvation is that we really don't understand what the Bible teaches. We confuse passages that speak to our rewarding in heaven, or the offer of rulership with Christ, with being saved eternally. This happens because we don't distinguish between the spirit and the soul. Now, hopefully, we can get into this topic more in another study. For right now, let's get back to Adam, Eve, and the God Who sought them.
Notice in the passage; "And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." Funny. I've never heard a voice walk. This little phrase gives us a clue to which of the members of the Godhead sought after Adam and Eve. A voice implies that there are words being spoken. So, they heard the Word of the Lord God walking. Who is the Word of God? It is none other than the Lord Jesus. In John 1:1-2 and 14 we read:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
What was this voice of the Lord God saying to Adam and Eve? What was Jesus saying to them?
"And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" Genesis 3:9.
Why would God ever have to ask a question? Doesn't He know the answer? He is God, after all. God asks questions in order to get us thinking. He isn't seeking after information that He doesn't possess, because God knows everything. What is the significance of the question "Where art thou?" God wants Adam to do some self-evaluation. He wants Adam to realize his deep need for Him. He wants Adam to realize that he and God are now separated from one another because of Adam's sin. Adam had died spiritually.
"And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Has thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." Genesis 3:10-12
It seems to me that God gives Adam a golden opportunity here. He could have judged his own disobedience. He could have ran to God, like a little child, and admitted his fault. What parent would reject their child, who has done wrong, when they come in honest, heartfelt repentance? Adam loses the opportunity though. He starts passing the blame. Even though the things he says are true, he doesn't own up to his part. He first lays some blame on God for giving the woman to him in the first place, and then he lays blame on the woman for him eating of the tree. It is almost as if Adam is saying that he had no fault or responsibility in the matter. Don't we do the same? We think that we can conceal from God our part in matters, but this is never the case. It is always better to come clean with God.
"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:5-10
Eve was given the same opportunity that Adam was given. God gives her a chance to come clean to Him.
"And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou has done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat" Genesis 3:13
Eve had a choice to make. She chose to follow her husband's example and pass the blame, instead of coming clean with God. Men, for better or for worse, we are the leaders of our homes. We should set the example of how to respond to God. This doesn't absolve our wives of their own responsibilities. It only adds more responsibility onto us. Leaders are responsible for their own actions, and for the leadership they give to others through their actions. Women, you really don't want to have the leadership position in your home.
Because they both failed to come clean to God, their judgment becomes more harsh. But even in God's judgment, there is the promise of redemption.
"And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou has done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Genesis 3:14
Isn't if funny how God doesn't even give Satan a chance to speak for himself? Satan's ultimate destiny had already been determined. There is to be no redemption for Satan and his demons. But in this proclamation, God foretells of the Redeemer Who is to come. This Redeemer is to be at war with Satan's seed, the Antichrist. This Redeemer will wound Satan's head, and will also be wounded by Satan. Jesus is the Seed of the woman. He was crucified (wounded) on the cross (Isaiah 53). Satan's head will be wounded and there will be war between Christ and Antichrist.
The warning about partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was that they would die in the day they ate of it. Did they? It appears from the text that they are still walking around and talking to God. Death, fundamentally, is separation. When we die physically, we are separated from this world, our friends and family, and our body. Spiritually speaking, man was separated from God the instant he partook of the fruit, thus the need for God to seek him out. What about physically? Did man die in the day that he ate of the fruit? Yes, he did. Adam and Eve could have lived forever in the original bodies that God fashioned for them. They could have done this because those bodies were sinless, up until the fall. When sin entered, death entered. At what age did Adam actually die? He was 930 years old (Genesis 5:5). Take into account the following when you think about Adam's age at death:
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9
God doesn't lie. What he told Adam would happen happened. Adam died spiritually, soulically, and bodily in the day that he partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The instant they ate of the tree, they were separated from God (death), and within 1000 years (1 day according to scripture) they had died. Incidentally, not one man has lived to 1000 years old. All men die within 1 day of their birth. Methuselah, the longest living man, died at 969 years old.
"Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception (thy sorrow with thy conception); in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam He said, Because thou has hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:16-19
Another consequence of the fall was that woman would have sorrow with conception. I'm convinced that this isn't just the physical act of birth. If you think about your parents, or any parents for that matter, which of the two feels the heartbreak of their children more? Which one is usually the "worry wart," so-to-speak? Honestly, it's often the mom. In fact, if you accidentally injured a child, which parent would you rather face - the mom or the dad? Most mothers are fiercely territorial of their families. That is a good thing, but it is also a curse, because they are often tormented by it.
Because Adam listened to his wife, and not to God, he would now have to work hard for his food, rather than having it within arm's reach. Traditionally, it has been the man's job to go into the world and bring back food for the family.
"And Adam called his wife's name Eve (life-giver); because she was the mother of all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Genesis 3:20-21
In these simple verses, we have the picture of salvation of the spirit. God had proclaimed that the seed of the woman would bruise Satan's head. In other words, there was to be a Redeemer Who was to come through the woman. Adam, in faith, names his wife Eve, or life-giver. It was a demonstration of his faith in what God had said. He believed that through Eve's seed there would be life again. In response, God gives another object lesson to Adam and Eve. He covers their nakedness with the skin of an animal. What had to happen to the animal for that to occur? It had to die. It's blood had to be shed. Had the animal done anything wrong? No. It was innocent. In this little illustration, God was showing Adam and Eve that the Redeemer would not only be bruised, but slain. His blood would be shed. He would be innocent of all sin, yet He would die in our place. Through His death our sin would be dealt with. Adam and Eve received the salvation of their spirits by grace through faith. Isn't it amazing? When we respond positively to God, He is quick to show us mercy. Adam and Eve were saved, even though they deserved to die and be eternally separated from God. Instead of remaining separated from God, God made them joined to Him spiritually again through grace by faith in the shedding of blood.
Now that they were saved, did they automatically regain their status in the garden? No. There were consequences to their disobedience. Now they would have to earn access to the tree of life through a lifetime of service to God.
"And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as One of Us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3:22-24
Access to the tree of life is a promise only to those who are saved and overcome, not to those who are just saved. Revelations gives proof of this. Keep in mind that biblically speaking, you are not a part of a church unless you are saved. Consider what is said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7:
"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy WORKS (not faith), and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou has tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and has found them liars: And hast borne, and has patience, and for My name's sake has laboured, and has not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen, and repent, and do the first Works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Christians, Believers, Saved Ones); To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Adam and Eve, like all of us, had to be first birthed spiritually (spirit salvation), then they were placed back in a position to qualify for rulership (access to the tree of life). But this qualification has now become much more difficult. Adam and Eve had to only reach out and eat of the tree of life for them to seal the deal for rulership. As a result of their disobedience, the way to the tree of life was barred. Access can only be given now after spirit salvation, and a life lived in obedience. Sin always has consequences. Obedience has consequences, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
