Fully Devoted: The FallSample

Cain and Abel, Part 2

Yesterday, we looked at the story of Cain and Abel and learned that sin is never satisfied. Unfortunately, it will continue escalating uncontrollably if left unchecked. After Abel’s murder, God talks with Cain:

... “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” Genesis 4:9-10 NIV

One of the most common questions people ask about God is why He allows bad things to happen to good people. The short answer is: God gave us the gift of free will.

We have the freedom to choose what we do and how we live—and this is a gift. But this gift can be directed toward harmful outcomes that feed sin and violate the dignity of others. This is what the story of the Fall is all about: Human beings taking what God intended for good—the gift of free will—and using it to fuel our selfish desires.

Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and follow their selfish desires when they took from the one tree that was off-limits to them. Cain chose to disobey God and followed his selfish desires when he took the life of his own brother.

In spite of the consequences, God still chose to give us free will. Why? Because love cannot exist without choice. And God knew that a universe filled with people who have the freedom to choose and the potential for love is better than one without it.

Tragically, though, we took this gift that God meant for good, and we used it for evil. Because of that, the world we’re living in is fallen and broken. Things are not the way they’re supposed to be. The world has been corrupted by sin and is in desperate need of redemption.

But, no matter how often we go against the good and perfect will of God, He still chooses to chase after us. He hears the cries of His people. He sees the suffering of the oppressed. He weeps with those who are in pain. He laments at the injustice and evil that’s being committed. And He is working to redeem and restore all of creation.

This is the promise of the gospel. And this promise is delivered, in person, by Jesus. He’s the Word made flesh—God in human form. That’s why the gospel is good news, because the God of everything will stop at nothing to rescue His people from sin and restore His creation.

The author of Hebrews refers to Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, and says that His sprinkled blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

The blood of Abel cried out from the ground at the injustice of his murder. But the blood of Jesus, dripping down His forehead, sprinkling out of His hands and feet, and gushing from the wound in His side, speaks a better word.

The blood of Jesus cries out that God’s redemption has arrived, sin has been disarmed, and a way has been opened for all people to be made new through the grace of God.

God does not look down at our suffering with His arms crossed. God entered into our suffering by hanging on a cross with His arms spread wide, welcoming anyone who wants to be in His family.

Journaling Questions

• What stuck out to you from today’s reading? Write an important verse in your journal.
• Describe the relationship between love and choice in your own words.
• How does God respond to suffering and injustice, as seen in today’s Scriptures?

Memory Verse

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV