Highlights In Today's Reading:
The Lord contrasts the worldly sacrifice of Cain with the godly sacrifice of Abel. About 1600 years later, universal corruption brings about the third great event of history — the flood in Noah's day. Worship of God revived (4:25-26).
Verse for Today:
And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth (Gen. 5:3).Before Adam was created, God said: Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness (1:26). But in referring to Seth, the Bible says: Adam . . . begat a son in his own likeness, after his image (5:3).
When Adam sinned, he died spiritually. It was by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men (Rom. 5:12).
Sin destroyed Adam's moral and spiritual nature. Consequently, Adam's children inherited his sinful nature, and death passed to the whole human race. The chief characteristic of death is separation from life.
Physical death is a separation of the soul and spirit from the body. When Adam sinned, a far greater separation took place, for his soul and spirit were separated from God, resulting in spiritual death.
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). This is why Jesus said: Ye must be born again (3:3,5).
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made (became) a living soul; the last Adam (Christ) was made a quickening spirit. . . . And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. . . . Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Cor. 15:45,49,57-58).
But God, in mercy and great love, provided a way for lost mankind to be reconciled — through the precious blood of His sinless Son, Christ Jesus.
Thought for Today:
Every Word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His Words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar (Prov. 30:5-6).
Christ Revealed:
Through Abel's blood sacrifice (Gen. 4:4-7). Christ is the Lamb of God (John 1:29; see Heb. 9:22; 11:4). Man's best achievements can never take the place of Christ's death on the cross, which cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).
Word Studies:
4:1 knew =had intercourse with; 4:4 had respect unto =approved; 4:6 fallen =angry, resentful; 4:15 a mark = sign of protection; 4:18 begat =gathered; 4:22 artificer =metal craftsman; 4:23 to my wounding =for wounding me; 5:22 walked with =believed in and was obedient to; 6:2 sons of God =followers of God; daughters of men =worldly women; 6:6 repented =grieved; 6:8 grace =the Lord's favor; 6:9 perfect =blameless; 6:15 cubits =about 18 inches; 6:16 to =for; 6:18 My Covenant =binding agreement with qualifications given by God.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Government Official: Rep. Robert Wexler (FL) • Country: Serbia and Montenegro (11 million) on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe • Major language: Serbo-Croatian • Religious conflict • 41% Serbian/Montenegrin/Macedonian Orthodox; 33% Catholic; 11% Muslim; 1% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God hears and answers our prayers (Is. 65:24).
Optional Reading: Matthew 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 23