Passion, Promise and Perdition

Once again, we must be cautious, understanding that this is written to believers, else we can develop some unsound doctrine

Keep in mind our context: not the occasional outbreak of sin in a life

practice of sin

v.

practice of righteousness

We have the word love used 3 times in this passage

We have the word love here; agapao, the “God so loved the world” sort of love,

The noun form rarely used outside of Christian writings

More intense than phileo, the kindly affection or brotherly love (Philadelphia)

Both used within Scripture

More intense even than storge, the familial love—a term not used in Scripture

Not related at all to eros, the passionate, I want you type of love

Neither used in Scripture

We also have hate used once, miseo, an intense dislike, aversion;

It is the antonym—polar opposite of love

They are two of the greatest passions that drive mankind

What We Have Heard

…from the beginning

Sounds a lot like an earlier verse

1 John 2:7–9 (ESV)

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. … Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

Which goes back to John 13 34-35

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This is the heart of the Gospel; the mark of a true believer; one portion of the walk of a believer

A true believer is a disciple, one who is taught by and follows the teachings of his master

In our case, Jesus

Before explaining love, he describes the antithesis of it, hatred, with the example of Cain

Not be like Cain (v.12)

“out of the evil one”

Could refer to being the offspring of Adam, a sinner

Could be a metaphor, like Jesus calling the Pharisees children of their father, the devil

Could be (my preference) that he was consumed by evil…let’s chase that thought

What We May Observe

Here we dig a little; we have murder of one brother by another

The contrast between Cain’s evil deeds and Abel’s righteous deeds

We only know what we see in the Genesis narrative and the few other places Cain is mentioned

Cain was a farmer; Abel a shepherd

Both brought offerings to the Lord;

Both brought to God some of that which they produced

…an offering of the fruit of the ground

Abel, on the other hand brought …of the firstborn of the flock and of their fat portions

Admittedly reading into this a bit, there seems to be an expression of their attitude: firstfruits—the best of the produce versus just some of the fruits

There are other arguments—this one seems the best

It suggests an attitude of sorts: paying his dues, not giving of a whole heart

God “had regard for” Abel’s but not Cain’s

Hebrews, in 11:4, tells us that Abel’s offering was by faith; Jude 11 links Cain with false teachers Korah and Balaam

Then 4:5 says that “Cain was very angry and his face fell”

So, God spoke to Cain and warned him that evil was crouching at the door

Cain chose to disregard God’s warning, letting his jealousy build to hatred, which led to murder

Worth remembering: jealousy>hatred>murder

Once we enter the process, it is only confession of the underlying sin of hatred that will extricate us from the process

Even if we never fulfill the act of a murder, it will churn within us

One local pastor years ago; hated a member of his congregation; began to plan a to murder him; justified it in his own mind…he go to jail and have a prison ministry

Stott observes and quotes Calvin:

In equating the hater with the murderer, John is not exaggerating, ‘for we wish him to perish whom we hate’ (Calvin)

John R. W. Stott, The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 19, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 144.

The world’s hatred of Christians

Seems like something of a parenthetical expression, i.e. “while I’m mentioning hatred....”

The words of Jesus himself:

John 15:18 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

and John 17 14

John 17:14 ESV

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

John Stott observes

The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary 2. The Love of Christ, and of the Church (3:14–18)

It is not just hatred, but hatred of Christian people, which reveals the world in its true colours, for in their persecution of the church their antagonism to Christ is concealed.

The world’s visible target is the Church (or the “fundamental Christians”); it’s actual target is Christ

In current culture, Christians are hated, mocked or, at the very best, marginalized

We may get lip service, most often not taken seriously

What We Now Know

The result of love is passing from death to life (the promise of eternal life)

The result of not loving our brother is “abiding in death” (perdition)

There is a connection between hatred and murder (Matt. 5. 21-22 ), these echo the words of Jesus Himself

Matthew 5:21–22 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 3

The act of murder shows a complete rejection of the living God’s authority over life. A person cannot be hate-filled while being in authentic relationship with Jesus, the authenticator of eternal life.

What Do We Do Now?

Sort out the surface issues

Remember the intended audience: believers!

Do we qualify under the definition we’ve seen so far in this epistle

Trusting Christ; following Christ; practicing righteousness

Within the realm of righteousness, are we harboring hatred in our hearts?

Are we “wishing death” upon any person in our life?

Maybe expand that to those in authority—even politicians? Even Putin?

(Yes, I do pray prayers of imprecation against godless leaders, but ALWAYS with the plea for their repentance and salvation, rather than their destruction—a critical piece of understanding here)

…and about that living under the hatred of the world...

Jesus warned us about that

Writing some years later, as the early church was gathering momentum, Peter added a lot on the same topic

1 Peter 4:12–13 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:19 ESV

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

The abuse we may suffer at the hands of our culture may be mild or intense; either way, it’s to be expected