Tag: cain

Questions God Asks

the Lord said to Saul of Tarsus, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ (Acts 9:4). Saul was full of hatred – not just in slaying the Lord, but all who followed Him, even to strange cities. But he, the chief of sinners, was shown grace. Grace to the chief of sinners, to hostile – Holy Ghost resisting – Christ persecuting – Israel. Grace to the poorest feeble saint, a member of His body, His flesh and of His bones – the Church.

 

JohnNelsonDarby‘The LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?’ (Gen 3:9)

  • Adam was separated from God by his own conscience – and naked.

 

‘The LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?’ (Gen 4:9)

  • Cain did not love God.  He hated his brother and was a murderer.
  • Can is typical of the Jews’ rejection of Christ.

 

It is the Lord who is speaking – the glorified Son of God.  He died for the sins of others – seen typically in Abel’s sacrifice.  The One who asks the questions is the One who accomplished righteousness.

So the Lord said to Saul of Tarsus, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ (Acts 9:4).  Saul was full of hatred – not just in slaying the Lord, but all who followed Him, even to strange cities.  But he, the chief of sinners, was shown grace.  Grace to the chief of sinners, to hostile – Holy Ghost resisting – Christ persecuting – Israel.  Grace to the poorest feeble saint, a member of His body, His flesh and of His bones – the Church.

 

Based on a passage in on J. N. Darby: ‘God’s Questions to Man’ – Notes and Comments Vol. 1, p 181

Sosthenes

 

September 2016

Civilisation and Man’s Natural state

Civilisation is the artificial and polished life where people are associated by common recognised rules.

Civilisation is the artificial and polished life where people are associated by common recognised rules.  They have developed of skills and mental faculties.  This is in contrast with men barbarism with men in natural or ‘savage’ groups, acting on natural impulses and passions.  Nevertheless, mental faculties the natural state, and the impulses and passions remain in the civilised.  If these are let loose, unrestrained by common recognised civil rules, we have  revolution, war, and so forth.

 

Barbaric State Civilised State
barbarismOrigin – Adam after the fall

Men are personally free

Men act as individuals

Social and family groups are small

Barbarism was the natural effect of Adam’s state when he had lost God

 

 civilisation

Origin – Cain

Men are more dependent on each other

Men are more closely united

Men are gregarious (more than social)

Civilisation began when Cain built a city

Civilisation uses human faculties and the earth’s resources to make the world a pleasant without God

 

 

Based on J. N. Darby: ‘Civilisation’ – Notes and Comments Vol. 1, p 110

Sosthenes

August 2016

A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible – Jude

Jude is similar to 2 Peter 2, but is based on a very different principle. Peter speaks of wickedness; Jude, of apostasy – that is leaving the first estate. He traces this in the course of Christian history, from the creeping in of false brethren, to the judgment executed by Christ when He comes again.

Outline of Bible coverJude is similar to 2 Peter 2, but is based on a very different principle. Peter speaks of wickedness; Jude, of apostasy – that is leaving the first estate.   He traces this in the course of Christian history, from the creeping in of false brethren, to the judgment executed by Christ when He comes again. He declares the objects of Christ’s judgment to be the same persons. He notices at the same time distinct characters of evil in Cain, Balaam and Korah: natural departure from God, ecclesiastical corruption, teaching error for reward; and, lastly, open rebellion. Immorality and insubordination are clearly evident.

The saints are exhorted to build themselves up in their most holy faith. The are to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and keep themselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. They are to make a difference between persons who have been dragged in, and those who have been spotted: the latter they are to save with fear. In spite of all the evil, He looks to the saints to be kept from falling. They are to be presented faultless before the presence of God’s glory with exceeding joy. God is able to do it.

 

Originally by JND.   Lightly edited by Sosthenes,  October 2014

– Se A Brief Outline of the Books of the Bible  for the original

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