Reading
1 JOHN 3:11-17
11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
14 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
Reflection
- “We should love one another.” This is a resounding gong theme—and it is more than just the idea of being kind. John intentionally drives this message that we should genuinely care about each other. Is there someone in your life that you struggle to love? Would you describe yourself as someone who is filled with love for others?
- Real love is sacrificial. Jesus displayed love to us by giving up his life. What could it look like for us to “give up our lives for brothers and sisters”?