FOUR QUESTIONS THAT CAN SAVE LIVES:

FOUR QUESTIONS THAT CAN SAVE LIVES:
Genesis 4.

Introduction:

When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing that you say to someone in the house, is it a statement or a question? When you meet someone, what is the first word that comes out of your mouth – a statement or a question?

You may want to remember that in the Bible, the first recorded words from God to the first human beings were statements giving instructions: “Be fruitful and multiply”. On the other hand, the first words spoken by Satan to the first human beings were in the form of a question: “Did God really say you must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden?”

We may further remind ourselves in the first recorded conversation between God and Satan in the book of Job, the first words that God spoke to Satan were in the form of a question: Where have you been? Interestingly also, first words on record as having been spoken by God to Cain in Gen. 4 were also in the form of a question: “Why are you angry?”

Today, we are going to talk about Questions, specifically FOUR QUESTIONS THAT CAN SAVE LIVES.

Instructions are important but questions are also important. Questions open for us possibilities of learning or acquiring more in terms of knowledge and skills. Questions require an answer and answers are knowledge that can be fruitful for life.

THE BACKGROUND:

Although God told Adam and Eve to multiply in number and to fill the earth, two of these children became prominent in the Biblical history. This is so because they occupied unique positions in the story of humanity.

In the story today, God asked Cain four important questions. God could have asked more questions but on record, only these four were retained. These are important questions and they could have saved lives and they can still save lives today, even during our time. Let’s take a look at the questions:

1. QUESTION 1: WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT WAY? (Why are you angry?)
The question is not intended to provide God with an answer that He does not know. Not all questions are asked for the purpose of knowing. Ex. God said to Adam – Where are you? Note that God is all knowing but Adam was being given the chance to come out and repent and surrender to God.

Why do you feel that way? Many of our emotional difficulties are not necessary. Our emotions must be justified in the sight of God. Cain was asked – why are you angry? It is like saying – do you think that you are doing the right way by getting angry? Do you think you have the right to be angry?

Did you examine your emotions in the light of what is right and wrong in my sight? (If you do well, will you not be accepted?)

Questions about emotions: Why do you love the man you love now? Is it valid? Is it justified in the sight of God? Why do you dwell on your depression? Is it valid? Are you grieving?

The question is intended to remind us that not all emotions we experience are valid and acceptable in the sight of God.

You feel that you are so unloved? Why do you feel that way? You feel that the world is about to fall on you? Why do you feel that way? Is it justified? You feel that you cannot take it anymore. Why do you feel that way?

2. QUESTION 2: WHY DO YOU BEHAVE THAT WAY? (Why is your face downcast?)
Cain was acting out his frustration and anger. His face showed it very clearly. When our emotions are low, our behavior tends to follow. It should not. Just as we need to examine our emotions and justify them in the presence of God, we also must examine our behavior and justify the same in the sight of God!

Why do I behave this way? Can I justify this in the sight of God? Why do I raise my voice against my children? Is this justified in the sight of God? Why do I raise my hand to inflict violence upon my children and the wife – is this justified in the sight of God?

Why do I go out at night as if I did not have a family – is this behavior justified in the sight of God? Why do I watch TV at night when I have a school assignment to finish – is this behavior justified in the sight of God?

Why do I forget to greet or kiss my mother when I arrive home or when I leave home, is this justified in the sight of God?

Why do I no longer hold the hands of my wife when we walk at the ATC or the Glorieta? Is it because I cannot bear the thought that I am holding hands with a lola? But you are also a lolo! Is this behavior justified in the sight of God?

3. QUESTION 3: WHERE IS YOUR BROTHER?
Here is a question of accountability. The brother is accountable to God for the welfare of his brother or sister. The husband is accountable to God for the welfare of his wife. The wife is accountable to God for the welfare of the husband. The children, in some ways, are accountable to God to pray for the welfare of their parents. They are definitely accountable to God for the honor of their parents! That is why they are commanded to honor their father and mother.

Here are important parts of the question:
3.1. We must know at all times where the other members of the family are at a particular time.
3.2. we must be responsible for seeing to it that our family members are safe.

Parents, do you know where your children are at a particular time of the night? Children, do you inform your parents, or more correctly, ask permission from your parents about where you want to go?

4. QUESTION 4: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

The question is intended to save Cain’s life. He could have repented. He could have admitted the crime.
Every time we do something, we are reminded by this question to examine the following:

4.1. The validity of behavior in the light of God’s law. Right or wrong?
4.2. The validity of our behavior in the light of the welfare of family members: Family concern and obligations.
4.3. The validity of our behavior in the light of the welfare of others (love your neighbors as yourself).