I John 3:12b-15
I John 3:11 For this is the message which you all have heard from the beginning, namely, that we should love one another; 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and ruthlessly murdered his brother.
And for what reason did he ruthlessly murder him?
Because his deeds were evil,
and his brother’s were righteous.
13 Indeed, do not marvel, brethren, if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life,
because we love the brethren.
He who 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.
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of John’s first epistle.
Now remember the false teachers who are troubling John’s flock are doing so by their living as well as by their teaching. That is, in addition to denying Christ, they claim that it does not matter how you live in the body or the way that you treat others. Instead, for them salvation is a purely inward spiritual matter.
Therefore, John reminds his readers that righteous living and love for one another are the two key components of what it means to abide in/belong to Christ. Why? Love and righteous living are the two key components of the single work that grace and salvation are doing in each believer.
In our text this morning John continues his discussion on the centrality of love.
Verses 10-12a (Review)
Notice at once the story thus far: in the face of the false teachers’ manipulation and mistreatment of others, John reminds us that love has been the unwavering command of God and a distinguishing mark of His children from the beginning. Not only that, in verse 12 John draws our attention back to the account of Cain in order to show us what has been contrary to God from the beginning. Notice then John tells us that Cain was of the Evil One. That is, Cain was not a child of God’s grace nor did his actions please or reflect God. Instead, Cain shared the same heart of rebellion and hostility that define that of the Devil. Notice the result: the darkness of Cain’s heart is reflected by the darkness of his actions. Therefore, John says that he ruthlessly murdered his brother FN#1. Importance: notice then John’s point: in the false teachers’ manipulation, mistreatment, and abuse of others we see the same hatred and violence that motivated Cain.
Verse 12b
Notice at once the reason Cain murdered his brother: John says he murdered him because his deeds were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Importance: notice John is not simply giving us a generic assessment. Instead, he is drawing our eyes back to the Genesis account (Gen 4:1-8). Remember in Genesis Abel brings God an offering of His first and best. That is, Abel’s offering reflects his genuine love for God (Abel’s deeds reflect his heart). However, Cain’s offering is made begrudgingly and reflects his resentment of God and God’s claim on his life. Not only that, when God provides Cain an opportunity to repent, Cain refuses. Instead, he murders his brother. However, please note: for John, Cain’s act of murder was more than simply a crime of passion or fit of rage. Instead, it was a deeply spiritual matter FN#2. That is, at the heart of Cain’s violence was a hatred for anything that served God (and thus exposed his own obligation and lack of compliance). Notice the point: between Cain and Abel there are two conflicting principles, which are mutually exclusive in their character, allegiance, and objectives FN#3. Not only that, for John, these two principle define the entirety of existence as we encounter it.
Verse 13
Next, notice John says do not marvel if the world hates you. In other words, John reminds his readers that if Cain hated Abel because Abel’s deeds were righteous (served God), then don’t be surprised/shocked/taken aback if a fallen world hates you for the very same reason (it is simply the seed of Cain seeking to strike down the seed of Able once again). Instead, we are to expect the principle of unbelief to try and undermine the principle of belief. Notice then the point: John does not want his flock to be naive or unsuspecting. Instead, John wants his readers (both then and now) to be vigilant and to understand the root of hostility/deception when they see it. Thus, anything that denies Christ, is manipulative of others, or revisionist in its version of righteousness is not from God nor does it seek your well-being. FN#4
Verse 14
Next, notice John says we know that we have passed from death into life. In other words, John says we know for certain to which spiritual principle we belong (we are children of God and salvation and new life are already ours). Notice then how John says we know this: John says we know because we love the brethren. Importance: notice the reason that John gives is a twofold reason. In other words, it is both that we love as well as who we love. Notice then we know that new life is ours because our propensity and standard desire is to love as our Father loved FN#5. As such, we don’t like hatred or causing others hurt. And when we do stumble, it matters to us. Therefore, we repent, turning to God and seeking to amend the hurt we have caused. At the same time, we know new life is ours because of who we love. Notice then verse 14 does not describe a generic amiability. Instead, it specifically points to a love for and an embrace of those who love and serve God. Thus, in the place of the world’s hostility for God and His people, the believer is drawn to and delights in those in whom the Spirit dwells FN#6. Simply put, love for the brethren both reflects God and is for God and therefore is a sure sign of the new life that is from God.
Next, notice the contrast: John says that the one who does not love abides in death. In other words, John points to the false teachers and all who are like them and says that you are to know for certain: that a persistent cruelty, manipulation, and mistreatment of others are sure signs that new life is not present in that person. Instead, you are to know that such a person abides in or remains under the power/principle of sin and death. Therefore, do not imitate them or be vulnerable to their sway.
Verse 15
Next, notice that verse 15 drives home the contrast between the new life/heart that belongs to the children of God and the darkness that captivates the children of the devil: John says that everyone (without exception) who hates his brother is a murderer. How? Hatred always seeks the hurt and harm of another. Therefore, those who regularly hate, disregard, or harm others (unchecked animosity) share the very same spiritual principle and allegiance as Cain FN#7. Notice the result: John says that you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. In other words, the death and harm that persistent unchecked hatred brings stands in direct contrast to the healing, well-being, and nurture that love and the new life bring. The two are fundamentally contrary (spiritual principles, trajectories, and objectives).
Bottom line: notice John’s point: John wants his readers (both then and now) to be able to distinguish that which is from God and that which is contrary to God. Why? John wants you to be able to identify and then avoid the deceptions of the world’s false teachers (both in what you practice as well as in who you follow). Therefore, John drives home the fact that love and faithful living are the two key components of what grace is doing in every believer.
Footnotes
1] Notice John’s specific order here: Cain does not become evil because he murdered his brother. Rather, Cain was evil and therefore committed the evil act of murdering his brother. In other words, the heart inevitably determines the hand.
2] This point is made even clearer once we remember that the promise of the Messiah was to come through Abel. Thus, by striking against his brother, Cain was striking against God and His promised salvation. As such, Cain (like all who reject God after him) was an active participant in Satan’s dark agenda.
3] As such, at no point are these two principle ultimately compatible (one serves and acknowledges God as God with every aspect of existence, while the other denies and rebels against God with every aspect of existence)
4] Below is a longer and more detailed explanation of some of the key components of verse 13
A) John says much more than simply “do not be surprised when the world acts unkindly to you” (which would be an Iterative Present); nor does he put it in a weaker contingent subjunctive mood “if the world happens to do something mean”. Instead, the verb “hate” is a stative present tense verb. As such, it points to an underlying definitive state/condition. In other words, John says do not be surprised when you encounter instances of the world’s underlying hatred of you and God. Instead, you are to know that hostility towards God and all who serve God is a key component of unbelief.
B) Next, notice who the world hates: John says do not be surprised if the world hates you all (plural). Not only that, in the Greek, “you all” is in a place of emphasis. (following the verb but preceding the subject of the verb) Importance: both John’s syntax and grammar emphasize that it is every single believer who is hated (not just the annoying Baptist ones) simply on the grounds that they are believers and that a radically new principle of life is theirs (a convicting principle/presence).
C) Finally, notice who is doing the hating: John says, do not be surprised if the world hates you. Importance: for John and every other biblical writer, the moral idea of World does not denote material existence or folks who live on the earth. Instead, it points to those who reside in a fractured cosmology. Remember, man was created for fellowship with “heavens and earth” (Jacob’s ladder). However, sin has brought death and separation from God (heavens). As such, fallen man’s cosmos is one of just “earth/world”. He lives on the demonic horizontal, cut off from God, and left to his own limited and partial perceptions/assessment. Simply put, for John, “world” points to fallen man estranged from and in rebellion against God.
5] Note the verb “love” is a customary/habitual present tense. As such, it points to a standard, normative or customary practice. Importance: the customary present does not imply an invariant or perfect behavior. Instead, it underscores the standard or normal behavior of a person. Thus the believers are not perfect in their love without setback or stumble. Instead, it is new life’s propensity and underlying desire to love. And when they stumble, it matters to them. Therefore, they repent and seek to make amends.
6] In other words, there is more than simply a dismissive tolerance of God’s people. Instead there is an identification with and a nurturing of the things that God is doing in and through His people.
7] Note: the verb “hate” is a customary/habitual present tense participle. As such, it points to a standard, normative or customary practice. In other words, John is not talking about folks who are angry or who are struggling to get over some wrong done to them. Instead, the customary present points to someone who regularly hates, disregards, or harms others (unchecked animosity). As such, they consistently seek their own self-interest with no concern for the expense it brings to others