My Brother's Keeper
Genesis 4:1-26
Illustration

"Did you ever notice how you can line up six balls in a row," said Joe. "You hit the first one and the sixth one jumps away at almost the same speed?"

"So what," said Dick, "you rack them up and then hit the first ball and they all start to move."

"Well, it is curious to me," said Joe, "how the first one in line and the last one in line are the ones that move, while the rest stand still."

Joe was observing God's physical laws of the transmission of force at work. Each ball in the line had a role to play, even though most of them seemed to stand still. Even while staying in place, each one transmitted force to the next one. Two of the billiard balls took dramatic action, but all had a role in it.

The forces of humanity find each of us influencing many others. We do not live alone. The supplying of our food, clothing, and basic needs of our spiritual and physical lives is all a part of a larger scene.

Millions of people are involved. Some, who seem to stand still, may brag of their stability and their freedom from responsibility in world-wide crisis; but we all are involved in the forces and the messages that go forth to others.

We may breed confidence or fear, love or hate, kindness or selfishness. We dare not commit the sin of Cain, who arrogantly asked the question of God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" for God's answer is, "Yes, you are."

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