QT 1/30/2025 1 Jn 3:11-16, Love is far different from what we think

1 John 3:11–16 (ESV) —

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. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that 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.

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.

 

NOTE: The underlying message of Christianity is love, but it is not really understood by the masses. They have watered down the word love into some "ooey gooey" feeling. When Jesus talks about love, the definition goes way beyond being nice to people. One of the opposite definitions of love is to envy another, like Cain (as mentioned in the passage above). McGhee writes,

"Let me give you a definition of envy: ‘discontent or uneasiness at the sight of another’s excellence or good fortune, accompanied with some degree of hatred and a desire to possess equal advantages."

Everyone struggles at times with envy, but a born-again believer recognizes the subtle form of hatred. He repents and seeks to love the other. The extreme form of hatred is murder, but even Jesus in redefining one of the ten commandments said,

Matthew 5:21–22 (ESV) — 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 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.

The definition of love for the Christian is far different than understood by the religious (and non-religious) masses. Jesus gives us our example when he laid down his life for us. True love is sacrificial, not "ooey gooey"-niceties.

 

Christianity is love, but it is not love as people would like to think it is. Christianity is defined by sacrificial love that costs time, commitment, and energy.

 

PONDER:

1. What do I think about the word "love?" How have I defined it?
2. Do I truly love others sacrificially giving time, commitment, and energy to the relationship?

 

PRAYER: Father, help us to better understand love and how to love others. Help us to move from our very shallow definitions of love into your definition and your example of love as sacrificial.