1 John 3:11-24 ESV
The Commandment to Love One Another
1 John 3:11-12
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.
In these verses, John reminds us of the importance of loving one another. This is not a new concept, but rather a message that has been present from the beginning of Christianity. John contrasts this message with the example of Cain, who murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy and evil intentions.
1 John 3:13-15
13 Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
John reminds the believers not to be surprised when the world hates them. This hatred is a natural response from those who do not know God. However, as believers, we know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters are considered murderers and do not have eternal life in them.
1 John 3:16-18
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
John explains that we know what love is because Jesus laid down his life for us. Therefore, we ought to be willing to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we have the means to help our brothers and sisters in need, yet we choose not to, how can we say that God's love is in us? We should not just talk about love, but demonstrate it in our actions and in truth.
1 John 3:19-22
19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
John writes that by demonstrating love and care for our brothers and sisters, we can be assured that we are of the truth. When our hearts condemn us, we can remember that God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. If our hearts are clear, we have confidence before God and can ask anything from Him, knowing that we will receive it because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him.
1 John 3:23-24
23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
John concludes this passage by summarizing the commandments of God: to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another. Those who keep these commandments abide in God and He in them. We know that God abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given us.
