(Training Our Young Meen..., continued from page 2)

But we must manifest the interest, the concern, the spiritual maturity to promote the training of preachers.

We are in a war—a war of far greater consequence than the one in Iraq or any other physical conflict: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

May we all rise to the occasion, like the men of Issachar who “had understanding of the times” (1 Chron. 12:32), and act on the critical need to train more preachers for the cause of Christ.

Dave Miller
Montgomery, Alabama

(Lessons Learned From Cain, continued from page 4)

6. Incorrect worship is the great divider of mankind. The very first sin (in Genesis 3) shows us that sin separates man from his God. But the second sin (in Genesis 4) shows us that incorrect worship separates not only mankind, but family as well. I have had men tell me before that one should never argue “religion or politics.” Supposedly these are the two great dividers of mankind; but I just say that when men have their religion right, then the politics will fall right in line. Being right with God is THE most important thing in the world. Those who fail to worship God correctly and live faithful Christian lives only foster disunity among mankind.

7. The lives of the faithful are precious in God’s sight (Maclaren, p. 9). Abel was a righteous man (Matt. 23:35); and God is certainly aware when one of His saints dies (Psa. 116:15). God speaks to Cain as if He is hearing the blood of his brother cry out to him—a touching picture indeed!

8. All sin makes us homeless wanderers (Maclaren, p. 20). Cain’s punishment for killing his brother was that the earth wouldn’t produce heartily for him and he would be a homeless wanderer (vs.12).

Likewise, when we sin, it separates us from God (Isa. 59:1f)—thus making us wanderers from the One whom our soul belongs to (Ezek. 18:4). Rebellion and rejection of God’s will for our lives only complicate our condition. If we wish to return home, to the Father of spirits, then we must bring our lives into harmony with His will.

9. God’s mercy is infinite. When Cain was confronted for the act of murder, God could have destroyed him immediately—but He didn’t. God was merciful to him—as He is with all of us. Just because God’s mercy is infinite, that doesn’t mean He can forgive all sin. God cannot forgive unrepented sin. God can (and often does) give us more time on earth in which to repent (Rom. 2:4), but this is because He wants us to live with him in eternity. We all should be more thankful for God’s infinite mercy (1 Pet. 1:3)!