Saturday Scripture Gold: Genesis 4:9

Happy Saturday!

Thank you for joining me today. Each week, I will take a verse (or passage) from the Bible and dig beneath the surface to uncover the precious golden nuggets of truth, wisdom, and knowledge that lie waiting to be discovered. I pray that this will inspire you to do some "digging" of your own into God's scripture!

This week's Bible passage: Genesis 4:9

Perhaps one of the more thought-provoking questions in the Bible is that one asked by Cain. Briefly, here's what happened: Cain had killed his brother because God had accepted Abel's offering, but not his own (Genesis 4:3-8). When the Lord inquired concerning Abel, Cain's response was: "Am I my brother's keeper?"(Genesis 4:9)

This is a question we would do well to ask ourselves today. Are we our brother's keeper? Do we have a responsibility to watch out for and care for one another?

Throughout the New Testament, it becomes clear that the answer is "Yes! In fact, there are many passages which emphasize our responsibiities to one another. For starters, we are to "love one another": as commanded by Jesus (John 13:34-35; 15:12,17) as taught by Paul (Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9); as instructed by Peter (1 Peter 1:22); as stressed by John (1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 5)

But how are we to express such love? Other passages can provide the answer. Let's take a look at some wayst that we can show our love for one another: we are to "receive one another" (Romans 15:7); we are to "edify (or spiritually uplift) another" (Romans 14:19); we are to "serve one another" (Galatians 5:13); we are to "bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:1-2); we are to be "forgiving one another" (Ephesians 4:32); we are to be "submitting to one another" (Ephesians 5:21); we are to "exhort one another" (Hebrews 3:12-13); we are to "consider one another" (Hebrews 10:24-25); we are to be "hospitable to one another" (1 Peter 4:8-10).

In light of such "one another" passages, is there any doubt that we are to be our brother's keeper? Are you your brother's keeper? Are you even identified with a congregation whereby you can be a working member who both cares for those in the family, and be cared for by them?

I hope this brief article has stimulated your thinking about responsibilities you have toward your brethren in Christ.

Until next week...

God bless you,

Rochelle