"These Things I've Written..." (1 John 3:11-12)

Introduction

Last week, we learned that the culture of this world has and always will attempt to blur the lines of morality.

In John’s day, the gnostic believers were telling people that allowing sin in one’s is not a major problem.

John wrote that this was not true. We are never to be satisfied with sin existing inside of us.

We can know if we are saved by Jesus or not by how we deal with sin.

When you’ve got a broken leg, you can’t pretend like nothing is wrong. Go to the doctor.

Deal with your sin before it deals with you.

1 John 3:11–12 NASB95

11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

1. God’s message of love will never change.

People were boasting about a new teaching about how to know God. It was a message that boasted in the pride of man over God and allowed people to live however they decided to live. People could walk in sin proudly and not have to deal with it because they believed that their sins were not a problem before God.

John “announced” that this message was not true. The gospel of Jesus Christ had not changed.

It’s safe to hold on to the message that they had heard.

In belief and in ethics.

Christians are commanded to love each other.

Love those who are saved, children of the family of God.

Strong, supernatural love.

John 15:13 NASB95

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Delbert Jacobson and Harrison Hall. Student Life Camp.

Jesus provides a path towards Christian living and it all begins with love.

It is the first of the fruits of the Spirit.

People won’t always respond to our opinions, good behaviors, or Christian appearances, but they will always respond to our love.

Positively or negatively. It make no difference. It will garner a response.

Christians must set the standard of love no matter what it costs.

2. When love is not present, destruction will follow.

Notice that loving God also involved loving people.

Cain is used as an example.

Genesis 4:1–8 NASB95

1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.” 2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Cains offering did not please God. It was not offered with a full heart.

Cain was in sin before he ever brought his offering to God.

“His actions were evil”

God gave Cain a way out of his sin but he refused to take it.

His sin did not begin with murder.

He wasn’t as upset with God for not accepting his offering as he was with Abel for being righteous.

Cain was stung with jealousy towards his brother Abel.

Why? Abel was righteous.

This idea is seen all throughout scriptures.

The vice of jealousy grew stronger in him.

Cain made a deliberate choice not to submit to God’s righteousness.

So he killed his brother who already had.

Watch how many young children act whenever jealousy strikes. It will cause them to do terrible things.

Jealousy leads to anger and anger will cause us to do things that we would never imagine we could do. We will things that make us have great regret.

According to John, we don’t get to be our own person.

We can be a child of God or a child of the devil.

We all have a moment when we can respond to our sin like Cain.

Refuse God’s acceptance and stay angry.

Stop our anger dead in its tracks and humble ourselves.

According to Jesus, anger is murder.

How do we learn to love people?

Realize that God loves everyone.

God loves you and me at our worst moments.

Don’t listen to everyone’s opinions.

Let God have the first and last word.

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.