Today’s reading is 1 John 3.
Be Jesus. Don’t be Cain.
John drives home the stark contrast. Cain murdered his brother. Jesus died for His brothers.
But there are two aspects of John’s teaching that stand out to me. First, to me, it isn’t so surprising that he talks about loving one another. Christians loving Christians. Christians sacrificing for Christians. But in talking about Cain, John makes a side comment. Cain hated his brother Abel because while Cain did wicked things, Abel did righteous things. Then comes the shocking statement. “Do not be surprised, that the world hates you.” And that’s the thing isn’t it. We want to get mad at the worldly for hating us. We want to get mad at the worldly for acting worldly. But how else should we expect them to act. We want to pay the world back for any hateful things they do. But Jesus says their hate shouldn’t surprise us at all. We should expect it. We should be ready for it. Knowing its going to come, we should be able to take it patiently and demonstrate the light of Christ, going to the cross for them, serving them, showing the gospel not just in words but in actions. We should expect the world to hate us. The worldly should expect us to love them.
Second, regarding the love of the brethren, John doesn’t simply say, “Don’t murder your brethren.” He also doesn’t simply say, “Don’t hate your brethren.” He says, “If you see a brother or sister in need and you can help them, but don’t, you don’t have God’s love in you.” As James said, if we see a brother or sister hungry or lacking clothes and all we do is say, “Be warmed and filled,” and don’t give them the help they need, what good is that?
John says, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth.” Don’t just say, “I love you.” Show “I love you.” Certainly, that can apply to the material needs mentioned in this verse. It can also apply to emotional and spiritual needs. It can apply to time together, bearing one another’s burdens, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep.
Cain was jealous of his brother’s righteousness and killed him. Jesus loved us despite our unrighteousness and died for us.
Be Jesus. Don’t be Cain.
Tomorrow’s reading is 1 John 3.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does 1 John 3 prompt or improve your hope in God?
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