1 John 3:13-16 says,...
Today's verses are 1 John 3:13-16, which read,
v.13 - Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
Don't wonder or be amazed genuine Christian if the world pursues to detest you. "Wow John, what a great message to your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is so uplifting." (sarcastically said) This statement is becoming more real in our world every day. There are people who are not tolerant of those of the Christian faith. Seems so funny to write that after that has been the charge against Christians for so long.
v.14 - We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
How do you know that you are are genuine Christian? Your actions show an unconditional love for the body of Christ. John keeps going back to this point. What does that love look like? I know that it is not easy at times and sometimes requires apologizes, forgiveness, and truth in love conversations that you are afraid to have because of the possible negative consequences. But for the love of the family of God, you step forward as Christ would for the sake of others. It is an unselfish love toward others because of Jesus' unselfish love given to us.
v.15 - Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
John is going back to Jesus' teaching on this given during the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, chapters 5-7. "Everyone who hates,..." - detests or pursues with hate indicates that this is something that is all consuming. How can you do this if we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength? One would be consumed with it (hate) rather than God and that would mean eternal life would be out of the question because something has taken the place of God.
v.16 - We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
John gives us the standard of love that we are to live by and that is the example of the love of Christ. Anyone who says that Christianity is a "weak" religion or something of minimal requirements has not read this verse. Are you willing to lay down your life for the faith? In the face of evil, Jesus went to the cross, willingly following His Father's will His Father's way. In the face of evil today, will you willingly follow God's will and God's way? To lay down is to set in place our lives to show others how great God's love is and I can't do that if I am hating my brother.
"Lord, sometimes I don't think this is possible what You are asking but You never ask me to do anything that is not possible without Your guidance and help. In those times when it is hard to love, soften my heart to be like Yours on the cross to even those who were spitting on You and nailing You there. Help me to forget about me, because I am being taken care of in Your hands, and focus on them. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.13 - Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
Don't wonder or be amazed genuine Christian if the world pursues to detest you. "Wow John, what a great message to your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is so uplifting." (sarcastically said) This statement is becoming more real in our world every day. There are people who are not tolerant of those of the Christian faith. Seems so funny to write that after that has been the charge against Christians for so long.
v.14 - We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
How do you know that you are are genuine Christian? Your actions show an unconditional love for the body of Christ. John keeps going back to this point. What does that love look like? I know that it is not easy at times and sometimes requires apologizes, forgiveness, and truth in love conversations that you are afraid to have because of the possible negative consequences. But for the love of the family of God, you step forward as Christ would for the sake of others. It is an unselfish love toward others because of Jesus' unselfish love given to us.
v.15 - Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
John is going back to Jesus' teaching on this given during the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, chapters 5-7. "Everyone who hates,..." - detests or pursues with hate indicates that this is something that is all consuming. How can you do this if we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength? One would be consumed with it (hate) rather than God and that would mean eternal life would be out of the question because something has taken the place of God.
v.16 - We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
John gives us the standard of love that we are to live by and that is the example of the love of Christ. Anyone who says that Christianity is a "weak" religion or something of minimal requirements has not read this verse. Are you willing to lay down your life for the faith? In the face of evil, Jesus went to the cross, willingly following His Father's will His Father's way. In the face of evil today, will you willingly follow God's will and God's way? To lay down is to set in place our lives to show others how great God's love is and I can't do that if I am hating my brother.
"Lord, sometimes I don't think this is possible what You are asking but You never ask me to do anything that is not possible without Your guidance and help. In those times when it is hard to love, soften my heart to be like Yours on the cross to even those who were spitting on You and nailing You there. Help me to forget about me, because I am being taken care of in Your hands, and focus on them. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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