11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
14 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
Terrie's Comments:
We are to love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't be surprised when the world hates you... that is a pretty strong statement. However remember that the world loved Jesus on Palm Sunday and then just a few days later they hated him to death. Remember to keep in mind that this world is not the end for us. If we keep an eternal perspective we will live life with our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and we will be confident when we stand before God. I love that God is greater than our feelings... he knows the motives of our hearts. If we are motivated by our love for Jesus then even when we miss the mark it will be enough. We will be able to keep our courage on the day Jesus returns.
Tori's Comments:
It seems a reiterated truth over and over again through John's writings: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)