Do-it-Yourself Project

When Cain’s selfishness, pride, anger and stupidity overcame his better judgment of forgiveness and resolution rather than retaliation he shallowly replied to God’s question with a question. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9) What was he asking? What we he really saying? I don’t have the responsibility of my brother? I don’t want the responsibility of my brother? I am an independent individual and that is all I want and all that You require God?

I think it is worth pondering that God didn’t directly answer Cain’s question, at least not verbally. God did answer the question with His judgment upon Cain. “and now you are cursed from the ground…” (Gen 4:11a) But the question still lies open or does it? It has been answered over and over throughout Scripture. The answer is a unmistakably yes! The Second Commandment answers that question. Jesus answered that question not only in His teaching but in His example and His purpose. Then Paul writes to the church in Rome “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (Rom. 15:1) The context is to Christians individually and in the church setting. The concept of chapter 14:1-15-13 is that we are responsible and obligated to our brother’s/sister’s well being, physically, emotionally and spiritually. He goes further in verse 2 of chapter 15 to say, Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Rom 15:2) Now, this Biblical truth says our brother’s/sister’s importance level is more than our own.

However, there is more. If we stop right here this Biblical truth seems to add more pressure to our all ready over-stressed lives, right? If we stop right there and that would be foolish because with God all endings are happy and if it doesn’t show joy then it is not over. Look at Romans 14:17, the purpose of life is the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of God has a purpose for us to enjoy peace and joy. What if we step back and look at the bigger picture, not looking at it only from our perspective? What if we turned it around and asked the question do I need my brothers and sisters to be MY keeper? Your first response maybe be no but that is totally from whatever level of pride is still in your life. The real answer is yes, we need help and this (life) is not a do-it-yourself project[1], I need you and I need Jesus!

On one of our mission opportunities to Brazil, the church sang a song that translated “I need you, you need me and we need Jesus.” How true can this be, yet satan (I didn’t capitalize his name on purpose) wants us to believe we are independent, not needing others and certainly not our brother’s keeper. He wants you to believe that this is a do-it-yourself project (life). But Jesus said (and I totally believe everything Jesus said and says) that satan is a liar. The truth is we need each other and when you look at the bigger picture, being my brother’s/sister’s keep is not more weight on my life. It is a privilege to share in the teamwork of life within the purpose of the Eternal Creator God. I need you, you need me, we need Jesus, and this is not a do-it-yourself project.

Lord Jesus, show us more of Your truth and help us to see the bigger picture. Teach us more about You, Your Word and how to be the best brother’s/sister’s keeper we can be in the center of your righteousness, peace and joy, all to Your glory. Amen.

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[1] ________________, The Everyday Guide to Prayer: 2002 Barbour Publishing, Inc. Uhrichsville, Oh ISBN 1-58660-224-1