A Treatise on Love and Hate1 John 3:11-16

Is This Christianity?

“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.”

Jonathan SwiftDoes this ring true?

Love And Life

•1 John 3:11 -- For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

•Vs. 14 -- We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

•Vs. 16 -- This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

The Message From The Beginning

•John 13:34-35 -- As taught by Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The Qualifier

•…as I loved you….

•Selfless love

•Sacrificial love

•Life giving love

How do we follow this example?

•Most will never be called upon to die for another.

•We can ALL live to serve one another.

•Commit premeditated acts of kindness.

Hatred And Murder

•Vs. 12-13 -- Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

•Vs. 15 -- Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

Why Did Cain Murder Abel?

•He belonged to the evil one.•His actions were evil.•His brother’s actions were righteous.

•Jealousy. Self pity. Bitterness. Rage. Murder.

•What is the origin of hatred?

Galatians 5:19-21 -- The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

•Hatred for others comes from Satan.

Hatred is a process:

•Matthew 5:21-22

•Angry with brother or sister subject to judgment.

•“Raca” answerable to court.

•“Moros” in danger of the fires of hell.

Can hatred persist in the church?

If you do not love you remain in death.

Through love we pass from death into life.

No one who hates has eternal life residing in him.

How Do I Release Hatred?

•Through prayer•Through forgiveness•Through love