Cain and Abel

[Coconut]

We simply have to admit that we cannot truly sing John Newton's famous hymn, "Amazing Grace" until we really come to believe and understand the following lines "...that saved a wretch like me." A sober view of human potential always brings a high view of grace. Newton eloquently sums this all up for us in another hymn he wrote titled, "Cain and Abel":

When Adam fell, he quickly lost
God's image which he once possess'd:
See all our nature since could boast
In Cain, his first-born son, express'd!

The sacrifice the Lord ordain'd
In type of the Redeemer's blood,
Self-righteousness reas'ning Cain disdain'd
And thought his own first-fruits as good.

Yet rage and envy fill'd his mind,
When with a sullen downcast look
He saw his brother favour find,
Who God's appointed method took.

By Cain's own hand good Abel died,
Because the Lord approv'd his faith;
And when his blood for vengeance cry'd
He vainly thought to hide his death.

Such was the wicked murd'rer Cain,
And such by nature still are we,
Until by grace we're born again,
Malicious, blind, and proud as he.

Like him, the way of grace we slight,
And in our own devices trust;
Call evil good, and darkness light,
And hate and persecute the just.

The saints in every age and place
Have found his history fulfill'd
The numbers all our thoughts surpass,
Of Abel's, whom the Cain's have kill'd.

Thus Jesus fell--but, oh! his blood
Far better things than Abel's cries,
Obtains his murd'rers peace with God,
And gains them mansions in the skies.

Mansions for murderers. Now that is grace!