Violence is no doubt rampant today, not just on the streets but even in entertainment. In fact, I truly doubt there's a crime that's been committed in real life that has not been dramatized, analyzed, replayed and trivialized on the big screen of Hollywood's imagination. Yes, some television and movies are disgusting, but we can't read the Bible and get past the forth chapter of Genesis before reading of murder, intrigue and and cover-up. It seems that because of sin, violence is in the heart of man.

Much discussion is made of what the two brothers did to try to please God with an offering. Cain brought the best of his vegetables while Abel brought body parts from the best of his flock he had killed. God was pleased with the sacrifice that required the death of something important and living while expressed disappointment in a gift of something that was not living and expendable. But the lesson today is not in the sacrifice or the crime, but in relationship.

You've probably heard of Cain's crime. He killed Abel because God found more pleasure in his younger brother's offering than his own. But the drama picks up intensity when God asks Cain where Abel was. God knew of course, but it seems Cain was more concerned with another insinuation of his failure than confessing his sin. "Why are you asking me? Am I supposed to care about my brother? I really don't care and wish you'd go away now."

Instead of guilt, Cain was angry. Instead of openly admitting his frailty, he tried to hide his crime and avoid discussion of his offense. But Cain learned what we should know. We can do nothing in private that will not one day be public knowledge and the basis of retribution. (Num 31:13) Cain learned you can't run from God and each one of us should know we can't either. We're expected to respect life and help others, especially those who are a part of our family.

If you're a Christian, then we are brothers through the blood of Jesus Christ who binds together our hearts together as one living and vital body called the church. But do we exercise love and compassion within the brotherhood, or do we act like we're exempt from responsibility to care for the rest of the body? Cain found out the hard way. He couldn't hide behind ignorance and we can't either. Payday is coming.

1. Pray Through the Word - 365 devotionals on the subject of prayer by James R. Green (Gen 4; 2Cor 8)
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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