The First Murder and the First Murderer
Taken from the study of Genesis 4:8, Part 2
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:8)
Religion
What was the motivating factor that drove Cain to violently murder his brother? We are informed from previous verses that the conflict between these two brothers was not merely a disagreement between two, but it was the conflict of Cain with God — Jehovah. Some have considered this to be the first ‘religious’ dispute which led to the first ‘religious’ persecution. Indeed, that is partly true, for on Cain’s part it was about ‘religion’ — man’s religion versus God’s way and God’s Word. I have deliberately set the word ‘religion’ apart as being of man. Christianity and religion are two distinct concepts. Christianity is not a religion — it is a personal relationship with a personal God, and a revelation from God supernaturally infused in man by God (John 3:8); Christianity stands apart from religion in it’s Center, that in all things Christ must have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18), it stands apart in the Christians place and position before a righteous God as the children of God and the sons of God (Romans 8:14, 16), and it stands apart in it’s actions and in it’s form. Christianity belongs to no single organization, building, group, membership, or doctrine. It is a supernatural existence born by the power of the Spirit of God through the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are clueless by my statement than, if I were you, I would suggest that you examine your faith by using the word of God as your guide. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? (John 3:4)
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6)
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)
The Fruits of Religion
To emphasize — religion was invented by man to perpetuate his own belief system. The first religious man was Cain. We will deal with how God treats this word ‘religion’ later in this article . . . . but for now . . . religion and Christianity are two separate entities, try to get your mind around this very basic thought. Just because someone is religious does not mean that He is a Christian or that he is godly. I take Christianity very seriously, I take the faith of Christ intensely personal, and I know that the Spirit of God gave birth to my Christianity in a moment in time. Remember — religion is one thing and Christianity is entirely another.
The first murder became a continuous pattern for the most heinous persecutions and villainous acts ever perpetrated upon humanity born from the heart of the ‘religious’ man against godly men for their love and obedience to God. Up to our present time we have been witnesses of the absolute hatred and murderous acts of the ‘religious’ man against any and all who are not of his sect. Let us not hide behind semantics by using terms like, radicals, or extremists, or freedom fighters. According to the word of God there are only two classifications of humanity; the saved and the unsaved; the unrepentant sinner and the forgiven sinner; the seed of Cain and the seed of promise through God; That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:8) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9) There are many more terms that the Spirit of God uses to distinguish between two different types of humanity in the eyes of God, but that in itself is a book.
Through the very first pages of the record of men in the Bible, God reveals to us those who have suffered, endured rejection, maligned, and died for the truth of God, like Abel (the first martyr) to Antipas (the last named martyr in Scripture). The ‘religious’ heart will fight intensely against anyone who speaks out for God, and God alone. It is through religion that the enmity against God and hatred against the righteous is fully displayed. Behind ‘religious’ symbols, and ‘religious’ words men of all religions have fought not only against others, but against God Himself. Religious wars are not sanctioned by God, whether hiding behind the symbol of a cross, or the symbol of a moon, or the symbol of a rock matters not — they are enemies of God. The true Christian stands as a minority in a world that desires all conform to a ‘religious’ form of worship, or the approved form of worship (or lack thereof) by the majority — whether they call it Christianity or by another name — it is not Christianity — it is merely the religion of man.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ( 2 Timothy 3:1)
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ( 2 Timothy 3:2)
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ( 2 Timothy 3:3)
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;( 2 Timothy 3:4)
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ( 2 Timothy 3:5)
The Conflict Between Cain and Abel – Worship
PRINCIPLE: The Separation Principle
PRINCIPLE: The Blood Principle
PRINCIPLE: Man’s religion of self-righteous works versus faith in the righteous works of God
PRINCIPLE: Positive – Negative (God accepts and God rejects)
PRINCIPLE: Vain Worship and True Worship
The first action of the separation principle dealing with man is recorded in Genesis 1:23 when God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. He separated them from His presence, and from the tree of life, He separated them from fellowship with Himself, and from the way to eternal life — for He was Life. This principle of separation was also first viewed in the 1st Chapter of Genesis, and the Blood Principle was first shown to man in Genesis 3:21. Now let’s move on to Cain . . . .
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. (Genesis 4:3)
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: (Genesis 4:4)
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (Genesis 4:5)
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? (Genesis 4:6)
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (Genesis 4:7)
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:8)
Here are the things that God the Holy Spirit opens to us: first, time had passed since the judgment of God fell on Adam and Eve in the Garden. Secondly, their off spring understood what God required from them, and not only what He required, but what their position and standing was before a Righteous and Holy God. They were well aware of the great gulf between them (man) and God. Thirdly, they knew that God demanded and required sacrifice — blood sacrifice — from an innocent victim not of Adam’s race; that Adam or any member of the human family could never atone for the sin of mankind. It was beyond man to achieve his own redemption. Fourthly, we understand this from the actions of these two men — Cain and Abel. Both brought offerings to God in worship, but only one offering was accepted. It is here at this point that the hatred for God comes to the forefront in the heart and mind of Cain. Why here, and why now? The division or hatred is centered around the sacrifice — the proper offering — true worship — and God’s acceptance and approval of a better sacrifice.
Didn’t Cain worship the One and Only True God? Why then did God reject the worship of Cain? Was not Cain sincere in his worship?
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (Isaiah 29:13)
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. (Mark 7:7)
There is only one way to worship God — in Spirit and in truth. That is a basic principle from the very beginning of Scripture. Before the law, before Moses, there was faith and there was grace. Without the Spirit of God leading the worshiper to worship in truth then all worship is in vain.Â
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22)
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)
The Natural Religionist
It has been the same through out man’s history — the natural man (the sinful man) (the seed of Satan) has always come out against the spiritual man (the repentant man) (the seed of Christ) at this junction — the point of worship. The natural man can acknowledge a God, he can understand that there is a gap, a rift, a separation between man and God; however, he adamantly fights against God’s way and refuses to submit himself to God’s righteousness, continually fighting in opposition to God to enforce his own form of righteousness. This is the oldest religion in the world, the religion of the natural man — natural religion.
As I stated previously Cain was a religious man. He was the founder of natural religion. Man is a religious being. He loves to be religious. He loves the admiration and praises of other religionists; however, the religious minded man prefers to set his own standards (or lack thereof) of what religion is and allows his mind to dictate how he should approach God. The natural religionist either disregards what God has set as the only way to approach Him, or he does not see, or he refuses to see, acknowledge or act on God’s way of approach.
God, the Holy Spirit, is quite clear in Genesis Chapter 4 that God approved of Abel’s sacrifice and disapproved of Cain’s sacrifice. It was at this point of God’s approval that the hatred of Cain against his brother and against His Creator brought forth the first act of hatred — murder. Cain murdered his brother, if he could have murdered God — he would have. This is one of the unifying points of the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the first part of our Bible God reveals Himself as — Jehovah, He reveals the enmity of the heart of man against Himself. In the second part of the Bible God reveals Himself as — Jesus, the Christ, the express image of God; and He reveals the depth of this enmity against Himself in that man willingly killed the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the express image of God.
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; (Acts 3:14)
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:15)
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. (Matthew 24:9)
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (John 16:2)
This is what has always been in the heart of the natural man — to destroy God — to kill God — to remove God and all memories of God from his being and from this planet; to slaughter anything or anyone that even remotely appears as being of God, whether they are of the True God or not. This is where we are today! As it began, so shall it end.
Cain, the natural religionist, not only understood that there was a great gulf between man and God, but he set to bridge the gap between God and himself through his own approach. Cain had a knowledge of God, but it was not the knowledge of God.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalm 111:10)
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
The religion of Cain, and of all Cain’s is a religion of his own mind, of his own desires. It is a religion against God’s directives. It is a religion of his own opposed to the revelation from God. He prefers his own form, his own approach, his own pomp, his own regalia through which he can receive the praises of others like himself. The religionist lusts after ceremony and ritualism, he loves to dress up and play religion. The religionist seeks the praises of men rather than the approval of God. It is the religionist who sets the standard of all approved systems of worship and fellowship. It is the religionist who craves control and power over others, this is the reason that the ‘clergy-laity’ system was created to remove the law of liberty from the child of God, and to separate all Christians from their rightful position before God as priests.
As the Apostle Peter wrote in his epistles concerning the privileges of all blood bought Christians — Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)
The religionist, the Cain’s of this world throughout all ages rejects being held accountable to God. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Romans 1:19)
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:22)
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:23)
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Romans 1:24)
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
Pure and Impure Religion
The word ‘religion’ is mentioned five times in the New Testament and the word ‘religious’ is mentioned two times. It is commonly understood to mean a system of belief and the faithful adherence in practice of this belief system. Notice, I did not use the word ‘faith.’ I want to draw a distinction between systems of belief and faith. We should draw a distinction as in the proverbial ‘clean baby and the dirty bath water.’ Systems of belief can range from a base pagan form to the most hierarchically advanced form of man’s invention of religion which (in reality) is the most base form of paganism. Faith is an entirely different subject — one in which I do not want to venture into at this particular point. I need to stay focused on the subject at hand . . . . . religion. The following references are the 5 mentions of ‘religion.’ Paul writes in Acts and Galatians referring to Judaism as ‘religion.’
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. (Acts 26:5)
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (Galatians 1:13)
And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:14)
Let’s look into James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion [is] vain. Through this verse we understand that the religion of man can be empty and meaningless and his ceremonial observances vain. This man — the natural man — places more importance on the outward observances and not that which is within. He deceives himself in his unwillingness to control that which flows from his heart.
Jesus said . . . But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (Matthew 15:18)
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (Matthew 15:19)
These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (Matthew 15:20)
Pure Religion
The key to God’s view of ‘religion’ is found in the very first word in James 1:27 — PURE. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27) This verse gives us God’s definition of religion: it must be pure, it must be undefiled, and it is always before His eyes. It is reverence in action before God. It is action in all purity and heart felt care for those in need. All religions, all natural religions, all religions of men that attempt to approach God through man’s righteousness — no matter the belief system — is an impure religion — IT IS NOT PURE. Cain’s religion was not pure, all natural religion is not pure, all man made religious institutions are not pure. Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: (Zechariah 7:9) And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. (Zechariah 7:10) Cain’s rebellious and angry reply to God, Am I my brother’s keeper? revealed a heart without a conscience, a soul without remorse, and a spirit in total opposition to God. Yes, he was his brother’s keeper! His hatred for God and God’s way led to his intolerance and utter hatred of his brother. And it all centered around God’s approval of Abel’s offering and God’s rejection of Cain’s offering. All this hatred spewed violently out at the point of God’s acceptance and approval of Abel’s offering. There is only one way to approach a Holy and Righteous God — it is God’s way. And man hates this!
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) The only way to God is through the blood sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. God refuses to accept any and all of man’s attempt outside of the offering that God promised from the very beginning — the true and only sacrifice that was fulfilled by God Himself through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17)
It is 2 Corinthians 6:17 that adds to the definition of pure religion that we have in the last part of James 1:27 — to keep himself unspotted from the world. This is the only mention of the word ‘unspotted’ in the entire Bible, and it comes as part of the definition of God’s view of religion. Unspotted, clean — what words to apply to sinful man! There was only one unspotted One, and that was the Lord Jesus Christ.
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:19)
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5)
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: ( 1 Timothy 1:5)
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
© Copyright 2016, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)