RSS

Giving and Receiving Mercy

20 Mar
Giving and Receiving Mercy

We’re going through Jude’s short letter to the church. He’s now making some concluding remarks to help us in our walk with the Lord.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 21-22 NIV

In these two verses, Jude is trying to get an important concept across to us. He mentions it three times in this short section. It’s the word, mercy.

I believe that in our generation we have no concept of what biblical mercy is all about. Most of the time we think it’s undeserved forgiveness.

We do something wrong. Then, when we’re caught, we want to get out of the consequences. So, we beg for mercy. That has nothing to do with the mercy of the Bible.

About ten years ago I did a series of posts on the truth of God’s mercy. To read these posts, click here.

For now, I’ll just summarize it. At one point in His ministry, Jesus told the pharisees…

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:13 NIV

Mercy is something God desires for us. It’s not a rule. Simply put, the Lord is saying that He would much rather reward our obedience than have to forgive our sin. Yes, He forgives our sin. But He really enjoys our obedience.

Our understanding of this is what matters. God’s mercy is His reward for us doing what He asks of us.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.

Romans 12:1 NIV

Notice that it doesn’t say “In view of God’s wrath.” It doesn’t say “In view of God’s promises.” Instead it tells us to keep God’s mercy in our sights.

Because God is “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6), I want to fulfill His desires for me. I know I can live a sacrificial life, because it will not be in vain. I will be rewarded.

Here, Jude tells us to watch ourselves. Make sure we remain in God’s love. Then we can expect His mercy. But how do we remain in his love?

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

John 15:9-11 NIV

This just confirms that obedience brings mercy. But there is now an obligation on us that Jude talks about. We need to show mercy. We must reward those who are faithfully serving God.

Jesus said the same thing.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7 NIV

This is the walk of mercy. It’s a higher calling. It’s being obedient to God, while being a blessing to others.

Now, let me end this post with the closing words of Jude’s epistle.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 24-25 NIV

Question: How have you seen God’s mercy evident in your life?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 20, 2026 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Building Up Your Faith

18 Mar
Building Up Your Faith

Build Up Your Faith

We’ve been studying the epistle of Jude. He’s telling us how to avoid the traps of false teachers.

In my last post, Jude dealt with the difference between ministry in the natural versus ministry in the spirit. So it’s important to note that this next verse follows right on the heels of that concept.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:20

What you need to note about this verse is that the word and is not in the Greek text. It should read, build yourselves up…praying in the Holy Spirit. What we need to realize is that God wants to explain things to us on His level.

In my last post, we saw from Paul’s writings, that it’s through prayer in the spirit that we receive wisdom and revelation beyond our natural understanding. We can tap into the mind of the Holy Spirit.

When I pray in the gift, I build up my most holy faith. This is the faith that’s resident in my spirit. It’s a faith that goes beyond what I know about the Scripture or the situation I’m in.

There are times when there may not even be a Biblical verse that covers my situation. What do I do then? I pray in the Spirit. This helps me to trust God when there seems to be no earthly reason to put my faith in Him. It’s a faith that goes beyond what my mind can understand.

This an important concept, especially when taken in the context of this whole letter. If you remember, Jude’s reason for writing this is get us to “contend for the faith” that was entrusted to us.

That should remind us of something. He’s not the only Biblical writer to talk about the battle we’re in.

In Ephesians, chapter 6, Paul talks about the spiritual battle that’s taking place around us. He shows us the Armor of God that we have access to. Then, he concludes with these words.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:17-18 NIV

I am looking at these two verses because in the Greek original, they’re all one long sentence. Another important point is that the original actually says “through” or “by means of prayer in the spirit”.

Paul talks about our battle with the enemy while Jude deals with battling false teaching. But in both cases, they equipped themselves for battle the same way.

We face battles every day. There are many directions that the attack may come from. It could be our flesh, the world system, or the demonic kingdom.

In all cases, we prepare for this struggle in the same way. Both Paul and Jude talked about their battles. They were two different people in two different struggles. Yet they both concluded that it was prayer in the spirit that would prepare them for victory.

I don’t know how anybody could read this and say that the gift of tongues is not for today. We can’t win the victory without it.

Prepare for the battles you’re about to face. Spend some quality time praying in the spirit.

Question: How much time are you spending in prayer for what you’ll face this year?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 18, 2026 in Faith, Ministry, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Natural vs Spiritual

16 Mar
Natural vs Spiritual

As we read through Jude’s letter to the church, he begins to show us the differences that need to separate us from the false teachers. It’s a very important concept.

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Jude 17-19 NIV

This is an age-old problem that we’ve faced in the church. It’s the difference between serving God in the natural versus serving Him in the spirit.

It’s important for us to understand the phrase, natural instincts, in this context. Jude uses the Greek word from which we get words like psychology. It speaks of the mind.

When you only use your mind in the worship and service of Christ, you end up getting only the results that mankind can do. If you want to see supernatural results, then you must minister in the spirit.

The Apostle Paul understood this intimately.

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV

The phrase, without the Spirit, in the above verse is the same Greek word that Jude uses for natural instinct. It should really be translated as the soulish man. It’s just living for Christ with what you can figure out on your own.

You need to be able to tap into the Holy Spirit if you want to fully understand God’s will. That will require you to spend some time praying in the spirit.

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV

There are so many who just don’t want to come to grips with this verse. The fact is that you can read the whole Bible from cover to cover (and you should!) and you can hear every sermon ever preached. You can brainstorm for the next ten years and you still won’t know God’s total plan for your life.

The only way to know what God has prepared for us to accomplish is time spent with the Holy Spirit. That’s where He can reveal to us His heart.

The Galatian church was struggling with this truth.

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 3:2-3 NIV

So much of what we see in the church today is the result of human effort. Don’t let that be your legacy. Live and minister by the spirit. Spend time with the Holy Spirit and don’t follow your own human natural instinct.

Question: How much time do you spend in the presence of the Lord?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 16, 2026 in Leadership, Ministry, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Ungodly Leaders

13 Mar
Ungodly Leaders

We’re continuing our walk through the epistle of Jude. He’s been showing us how to spot and avoid false teachers.

He used a lot of analogies in his writing. Now we come to his conclusion of this section. He makes his description plainer.

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 14-16 NIV

I think it’s clear from this section that the key word is “ungodly”. Their life and “ministry” are all about themselves and what people think about them.

One important thing we need to realize is that ungodliness itself does not make you unsaved. There is a such thing as an ungodly Christian. However, if you continue long enough and far enough into ungodliness, you could lose your standing in Christ.

A number of years ago I was leading a high school boy’s Bible Study at a Christian school. A question that I got asked on a regular basis was, “Can I ___________ and still be a Christian?”

The blank was different every time, but the attitude was the same. It might have been about alcohol, dancing, R-rated movies, or rock music. The focus was the same each time it was asked. They were basically asking me, “How close to the world can I go and still make it to Heaven?”

Unfortunately, that’s the way a lot of Christians live out their lives. They look at the “religious” side of their life. They read the Bible, pray regularly, and go to church. So, they’re okay. The rest of the time they do what they want. In our society they’re considered good Christians.

That’s what ungodly church leaders are like. They want to look the part – super spiritual in front of others. All the while they’re self-absorbed. Many times, you can see it in their conversation.

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

2 Timothy 2:16

Here Paul is warning a young pastor not to get involved in godless talk because it leads you further into ungodliness. That makes it clear that a Christian can be ungodly to a point. But what does that mean?

Simply put, ungodliness means that you live each day with no thought of God being involved in your life. You can be saved, on your way to Heaven, and love Jesus. But in your daily life you don’t look for God to have a big role.

You make your plans for the day or the week ahead. Then you go before God in prayer and ask Him to bless it. You may not want to hear this, but that is an ungodly lifestyle. You’re not unsaved, you’re not an evil person; you’re just living a godless lifestyle.

Godly leaders cannot live this way. The Scripture gives us the pattern of life that will bring God, Himself into our daily lives. He should affect all that we do.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…

Titus 2:11-13

Jude wants believers, especially church leaders, to avoid the traps of ungodliness.

Question: What does it mean to get God involved in our daily lives?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 13, 2026 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , ,

Wandering Stars

11 Mar
Wandering Stars

We’re currently studying Jude’s small letter. He’s dealing with the subject of false teachers. He wants us to be able to spot and avoid their ways.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Jude 13 NIV

In my last post we looked at Jude’s wild wave analogy. Today we see that he calls them wandering stars.

That’s an interesting way to look at them and I need to explain it. First, we need to see that stars in general seem to rotate around the earth. Now, we know that’s not actually the case, but it appears that way because it’s the earth that’s rotating.

So, to the ancient people, all of the stars seemed to be marching in unison through the night sky. There were some notable exceptions to this. I’m talking about the planets that we can see with the naked eye. These are Mercury, Mars, and Venus to name a few.

The thing about planets is that they don’t travel through the sky with the stars. They take their own path because they orbit the sun.

Why am I talking about planets? Because that’s what Jude is referring to in this section. The Greek word for wandering in this verse is actually planetai, from which we get the English word, planet.

Why is this important? It’s all about agreement.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

The analogy is this: All of the stars agree on the direction they’re heading. The planets, however, have their own idea of where they should go. These false teachers are not following the sound doctrine of Christ. They have their own way of thinking.

Please remember, agreement is not about you agreeing with what I say. It’s both of us agreeing with what the Word tells us. We need to all be following the path that Jesus laid down for us.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 NIV

False teachers don’t live this way. They have their own beliefs that they are trying to convince others to follow. They try to get you to believe that they’re living on a higher level than others.

Unfortunately, according to Jude, they’re operating in perpetual darkness. Darkness is the absence of light. God’s Word is light. These people are living according to their own thoughts. They don’t know the destruction that their path is leading them to.

That’s why it’s so important that we stay in prayer and in the Word. In that way we can hear the Holy Spirit’s warning to avoid these pitfalls.

Questions: When has to Holy Spirit kept you from spiritual harm?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 11, 2026 in Leadership, Prayer, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Wild Waves

09 Mar
Wild Waves

As we continue through the book of Jude, he’s giving us an understanding of the way false teachers operate. This will help us to steer clear of their influence. Hopefully, it will also help leaders to avoid taking their path.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame…

Jude 13a NIV

Here is another description Jude gives us to reveal their character. He calls them wild waves of the sea.

If you remember, at the start of this series I talked about the fact that Jude was the brother of James, who wrote the book of James. It seems to me that the two of them had discussions about this.

Listen to what James wrote. In context, he’s talking about someone asking God for wisdom.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

James 1:6-8 NIV

The first insight James gives us is that these false teachers are actually doubting God. The word doubt in the Greek actually means to thoroughly judge, discern or discriminate in the decision making process.

The problem is that these teachers are judging God’s Word. It’s not up to us to decide whether God means what He says or not. His Word is truth. It doesn’t matter what things look like from our perspective.

The next thing I see is that these people are like a wave on the ocean. But it’s not just any wave. It’s a wave that’s specifically formed by the wind blowing across the water. That kind of wave only moves in the direction that the wind is blowing.

False teachers are really good at discerning what it is that people want to hear. Then they package it in an exciting, and even Scripture based message. Little do the hearers know that they’re being led astray by wrong interpretations of the Bible.

This person is also called double-minded, or literally double-souled. It’s like they have a split personality. When they’re around God’s people it seems like they’re super spiritual. But, many times, in private these teachers are just the opposite.

According to James, this person is unstable in all he does. That literally means that the road he’s taking has no permanent direction. These false teachers are continually updating their message to keep their followers entertained – and to keep the money train rolling.

That’s why we need to be constantly aware in the spirit. Regularly spend time in God’s presence. That’s what will keep you safe from their influence.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:14 NIV

Paul understood all of this. We need to heed his exhortation. Spend time reading the Word and in prayer each day. Stay strong and alert in the spirit.

Question: How do you keep yourself spiritually vigilant?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 9, 2026 in Faith, Leadership, Ministry, Prayer, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

Tags: , , , ,

No Rain, No Fruit

06 Mar
No Rain, No Fruit

We’re continuing our study through the epistle of Jude. He’s been talking about false teachers and their effect on the body of Christ. We’re experiencing an epidemic of this in our modern American Christian culture. Jude wrote about this problem almost 2000 years ago.

These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm – shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted– twice dead.
Jude 1:12

This rebuke describes a growing segment of the church. What an appropriate editorial on many of the “ministers” we see on Christian cable, radio, and online.

Jude describes them as shepherds who feed only themselves. They preach messages that excite people in order to keep their cash flow going strong. They’re clouds and wind with no rain – autumn trees with no fruit.

If there’s no fruit, then there’s no seed to plant. But that doesn’t matter. With no rain they couldn’t water them either.

This calls for maturity and discernment for God’s people. That’s especially true when it comes to the teachings we listen to on the radio, TV, or the internet. We need to be asking the Holy Spirit to show us the motives behind the ministry.

It’s a part of the times that we live in. There’s an abundance of the Bible being preached in America these days. How much of it is a Word from God? How much of it speaks what God wants said to this generation, for this time in history? How much planting and watering is being accomplished?

For the amount of Scripture being sent through the airways and over the internet, there is very little fruit to harvest.

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.”
Amos 8:11-12

The prophet Amos predicted the days when there would be a famine of the Word of God. What is a famine? It’s usually a dry weather pattern. As a result there’s no rain, no crops, and no new seed. This must go on for years to qualify as a famine.

During the time of spiritual famine that Amos wrote about, Israel had many synagogues. These were places where the Scripture was taught. There were people teaching the Scripture all over Israel. Scripture reading abounded – but not the Word of God.

It grieves me to look at the United States in light of this Scripture. We are in that exact same place. An abundance of the Bible is being preached and taught from every possible media outlet. Yet for all of this, the church of Jesus Christ is, for the most part, marginalized.

We need to hunger and thirst for a revival of the Word of God in us. Of course we need Scripture as our foundation – to keep us on track. But we must seek God Himself so that we can receive the Living Word to burn within us.

That’s why I’m so insistent about believers being a part of a local congregation. Yes, I’ve heard the excuses. “You don’t know the pain I suffered from that church.”

I understand; I’ve been there. The truth is that no one can hurt you more than family. But, then again, no one can help you to heal better than family.

Being a part of a local church does open you up to possible hurt. But it can also help to protect you from the spiritual wolves that are out to destroy you.

Question: How have you grown as a result of the local church?

©2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 6, 2026 in Leadership, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Rebellion

04 Mar
Rebellion

We’re continuing our look at the book of Jude. He’s been writing about false teachers. So far he has used the examples of Cain and Balaam. Now Jude move on to another Old Testament problem.

…they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Jude 11 NIV

The first thing we need to do is understand the background of Korah and his rebellion. Korah and Moses were cousins, so you might have expected them to be close. But that’s not the case.

As it happens so often in families, there was a great deal of competition and jealousy on Korah’s part. At some point he began to amass a following who felt the Korah was the better leader. You can read the whole story in Numbers, chapter 16.

Here’s the problem that we even see today in many churches. God calls and appoints leaders based upon His own criteria. So often that doesn’t involve outward ability, but inward character.

…“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7b NIV

Eventually Korah surrounded himself with over 250 others who openly opposed Moses and Aaron. Their argument was that the whole congregation of Israel is holy. So, Moses and Aaron shouldn’t put themselves over the people.

Unfortunately these men were working with a false assumption. Moses and Aaron did not put themselves over Israel. God Himself was the One who placed them in authority.

The end of this rebellion was quick and decisive. The ground opened up under these men and swallowed them alive.

This is what Jude is referencing in his writings. It’s a problem that’s all too commonplace in the modern church.

I believe it’s a result of this generation’s misconceptions of the church. In many places churches are established and structured according to an American business model. They come complete with CEO, CFO, and governing board members.

Please understand – that’s not how God establishes His church. The true church is a theocracy with Christ, Himself as the Head. He calls and appoints leaders as He sees fit.

Too often there are those in the congregation who feel that they know better than the pastor or leaders God has placed in ministry. They end up trying to get people to join their ranks and agree with them. They’re trying to establish their own little kingdoms.

This is what Jude is referring to here. What these rebellious individuals forget is that God hates such rebellion to His established authority. Even James warns us about this.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 NIV

We even see this in the early days of the apostles. When they were called before the rulers of Israel, these leaders wanted to stop their preaching. However, a wise teacher named Gamaliel stood up and spoke this truth. He told the assembly to not attack them.

“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Acts 5:39 NIV

I believe we have to be very careful not to join with those who are in rebellion against God-given leadership.

Question: What is your attitude toward leaders you disagree with?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 4, 2026 in The Church, Anointing, Leadership, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

For Profit…or Loss?

02 Mar
For Profit…or Loss?

I have been going through Jude’s tiny epistle. He’s giving us the characteristics of false teachers and preachers. Now he goes on to a new description.

…they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error…

Jude 11b NIV

To understand this one, we need to know about Balaam, from the Old Testament. His story is found in the book of Numbers, chapters 22-24. You can read that section to get all the details.

Basically, this event took place while Israel was wandering in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. As they were going through Moab territory, the king of Moab got worried.

The king summoned a local, pagan, enchanter named Balaam. He was told that the king would reward him handsomely if he cursed Israel. This was to be done so that Moab could defeat Israel in battle.

God then got Balaam’s attention, and He warned him do only what he heard from the Lord. Balaam must have been planning on ignoring this warning because God used a talking donkey to reiterate this.

He then tried three times to bribe God with sacrifices. He wanted God to curse Israel or parts of Israel. Each time, God made it clear that He would only bless them. Finally, unable to curse Israel, Balaam went back to his home.

Jude uses this event in Israel’s history to reveal a motivating factor in false teachers. He’s saying that these charlatans are in it for the financial gain they receive.

Many times, this is evident on TV and online. Of course, not every famous preacher is looking for financial gain. Most are truly bringing God’s Word to their hearers.

However, there are a few who are greed driven. I am convinced of one thing when I view their show. The only reason they study the Bible is to find Scriptures that will convince you to take money from your pocket and put it in theirs.

Paul dealt with that issue as well.

Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

2 Corinthians 2:17 NIV

We have to be careful where we sow our seed (financially). If their entire message revolves around sending them an offering, something’s wrong.

When a godly teacher stands before the people of the Lord, it’s not about what they want to hear. His or her message must be the result of time spent with the Holy Spirit. What does the Lord want the people to hear.

I can’t teach something because I know it will get everybody excited. Then, I’ll get a bigger offering. That’s not how it works in the Spirit. I preach what the Lord dictates and He provides for my needs.

Paul sums it up well. He speaks of these false teachers as…

…men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:5-7 NIV

This is why we have to be careful who we support with our finances. That support will cause us to share in their blessings or their God-given discipline.

Question: What experience have you had with ministry for financial gain? If you leave a comment, DO NOT name names.

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 2, 2026 in Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Repentance Breaks the Curse

27 Feb
Repentance Breaks the Curse

We’re currently going through the book of Jude. He’s writing about false teachers.

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain…
Jude 11a

I’m posting about Cain’s experience. He murdered his own brother because he thought that it would allow him to worship God on his own terms. It didn’t work.

He found himself away from his calling, and hidden from God’s presence. He even feared that he would be killed for his actions. But God did something surprising.

But the Lord said to him, “Not so; if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.
Genesis 4:15

God gave Cain the world’s first tattoo. It read, “Kill him and answer to Me – signed – GOD.”

Why would God do such a thing? Throughout His Word the Lord has said that murder is punishable by death. The answer is in His mercy.

Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
Genesis 4:25

This is a very strange statement for Eve to make. At this point she already had over 100 children. Why did she see the need to specifically replace Abel? The name Seth means to place in as a substitute.

Here’s where we see God’s mercy.

Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.
Genesis 4:26

What this verse tells us is that something happened when Seth was old enough to have children. The Bible literally says that calling on the name of the Lord was opened up. (The word men is not in the original Hebrew)

Why did God not allow Cain to be killed? The Lord wanted Cain to see the day when a new prophet would rise up. Seth could now offer the sin-offering for Cain’s forgiveness. I’d like to think that Cain took God’s offer of a second chance. I believe that we’ll see him in Heaven.

Remember – Cain’s curse was that he would be a restless wanderer.

Cain lay with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.
Genesis 4:17

Do you hear that? Cain built a city. He’s not a wanderer anymore. It sounds like the curse was broken over his life. I believe it’s because he took God’s offer of forgiveness.

What can we learn from all of this – the way of Cain? I can’t worship God on my own terms. It’s an epidemic of our generation of believers.

Many people say that they’re pursuing God. The truth is that I can only pursue God the way God wants to be pursued. Anything else and I’m just a spiritual wanderer.

We must worship God the way He wants to be worshiped – in spirit and in truth. Anything else misses the mark.

Question: What curses has God broken from over your life?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 27, 2026 in Faith, Power of God, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Worship

 

Tags: , , , ,

← Older posts