Why Are You…?

inspirations14

Nov 27

Don't the holidays just always seem to bring out the best (tongue in cheek) in us? Genesis four is where we're picking up. This is a good lesson to post on the mirror; and especially at this time of year. There is so much insecurity, envy, bitterness, old grudges, etc. When we ask ourselves, and answer truthfully, we can often resolve those things so easily. Isn't it worth it to restore the peace and joy you once knew? Absolutely! Resolution starts with that question: WHY? Some of the answers might surprise you. They did me.

(Genesis 4:6-7) The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?* (Will there not be a lifting up of your face?) And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to^*(toward you) you, but you must rule over it." (Job 5:2) Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.

(Romans 2:6-11) He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking* (contentious) and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. (Jeremiah 17:10), (Luke 8:15),

(1Cor. 15:53-54) For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O' death, where is your victory? O' death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. –There's a revelation here; actually 2 of them. First, we learn that sin is the sting of death. Satan deceived Eve, and caused her to sin. There was no sin in man, or woman, until Satan deceived the woman. Secondly, the law gives sin its power. (Romans 7:8-12) But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Jesus overcame the power of sin, putting it beneath our feet for all time. However, God is not a bully; you must choose to sin, or not to sin. The law of Heaven is one of sowing and reaping. Jesus said, in (Matt. 7:12) "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." And, it all starts within your heart, mind, and soul. Going back to Cain in the garden, we can see that. We can choose to hold on to anger, bitterness, envy, etc. Or, we can choose to hold on to the divine nature within us, by holding on to the Word of God, and continuing on our course. This is where the perishable, or mortal, puts on the imperishable and immortal. Cain could have gone before God and asked why He didn't regard his offering like he did Abel's. God would have told him the truth, and helped him to do better. We can see God's willingness to help us when we read that He made skins for Adam and Eve to wear, even after they disobeyed Him. He could have left them in the leaves they made for themselves.