As we continue our study of 1 John, we pick up at verse eleven of chapter three. The Apostle, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states:
“For this is the message you have heard from the beginning. We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
1 John 3: 11-15
Love brings life. Hate brings death. Because of the Lord’s gift of ‘free will’, we get to choose – we have the power to choose.
The Word tells us that “God is Love.”, (1 John 4:8) Whosoever invites Christ into his heart invites Love. When that happens, The Holy Spirit transforms us into a new creation with a holy spirit of love within. We are given ‘a spirit of power, and love, and self-discipline’. (2 Timothy 1:7)
So if we have the Spirit of Christ within, can we still hate? Yes, we can choose to love, or to hate. We are a new creation with ‘self-discipline’, and the power to choose how we will live. Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians: “You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your mind, and to put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:22-27)
All of us get angry. But since we know that anger can give the devil a foothold, and cause the ‘flesh’ we still deal with to say hateful things, and do hateful things that can get totally out of control, we must take control of the anger by listening to that ‘still small voice’ of love within. Whether it is a rant, or a seething, quiet, long held anger that we have not let go, we can control it, and remove it from our heart with the power of love. Love for God, and self, and our brother.
Love trumps hate. Let us choose love, and live life in its power through Christ our Lord.
May the Lord bless you, and keep you, God’s Beloveds. “Let us be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us.” (Ephesians 4:32) We are greatly loved.
Poppa B
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On Line