1 John 3:15

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if ^athe world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love¹ his brother abides in death.

15 ^aWhoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that ^bno murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The Outworking of Love

16 ^aBy this we know love, ^bbecause He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But ^awhoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, ^alet us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

19 And by this we¹ know ^athat we are of the truth, and shall² assure our hearts before Him.

20 ^aFor if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, ^awe have confidence toward God.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
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What Does 1 John 3:15 Mean?

1 John 3:15

This verse succinctly states why it is so important not to hold the spirit of murder within us. Anger or resentment may flash into our minds, and we have not yet sinned. But if we hold it and allow it to burn, it could very well destroy us!

Hatred also is the spirit of murder. But beware! Human nature can lead us into thinking that hatred has no serious, immediate consequences because the Lake of Fire seems so far off. The spirit of murder must be nipped in the bud before it leads to murder or the Lake of Fire. Notice Matthew 5:23-24, the verses immediately after Jesus' statement on the spirit of murder:

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Do not attempt to make any offering to God while in the spirit of enmity! Jesus' words clearly imply that God will not accept our worship while we hate another person! Can we honestly say we are worshipping God in spirit and truth when we hate a brother? How can a heart burdened by grudges offer God complete adoration? Within God's court there are no unsolved crimes, nor does He lack the power to see our inner motives.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Sixth Commandment (Part One) (1997)

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The Outworking of Love

What Does 1 John 3:15 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

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