There were two themes which were most important in the initial apostolic message to new hearers of the gospel of Christ. Actually, both themes deal with essential realities. Of first importance was the identity of Jesus (cf. 1 John 2:24). The second theme, which was equally important, is shown here with the words, “the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:” (1 John 3:11 ASV). If we are truly born from above, inevitability we will love our brethren. That love is inevitable because it results from being born again by the power of God. Acceptance of the first theme gives the basis for believers’ doctrinal purity. Acceptance of the second theme provides the basis for unity and cooperation among the believers.
An example to be avoided is that of Cain who “was of the evil one, and slew his brother.” (1 John 3:12a ASV) There were two underlying reasons why Cain committed murder. First, he “was of the evil one.” This is equivalent to the statement in 1 John 3:8, which we have already studied, that “he that doeth sin is of the devil.” The second reason he killed his brother was “because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” (1 John 3:12b ASV) No act which deliberately deprives someone else of his life is compatible with love. Murder is a work of hatred which eventually grows into rage. Why does a murderer hate a righteous person? He hates because the life style of the righteous person is a rebuke to the sinful life style of the one who works evil. Scripture tells us that “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.” (Psalms 37:32 ASV) Only those deeds and acts which enhance our brethren’s lives are compatible with love.
Cain and Abel were brothers. There is a strong natural love between real brothers. As strong as brotherly love is, whether it is the love which grows out of our physical birth or that love which grows out of our ‘new birth,’ it may be overcome and over powered by jealousy, hate and rage. We must live in such a way that the righteous living of our brother is not a rebuke to our own manner of life. Whenever our brother’s righteous living condemns our behavior, there is great danger that jealousy will be generated in our heart! That jealousy can easily grow into hate and rage which will result in murder!
Cain and Abel represent two mutually exclusive and antagonistic life styles. Just as Abel’s righteous life style engendered hatred in Cain’s heart so ours will engender hatred in the heart of ‘the world.’ Therefore, we should not marvel if the world hates us. (1 John 3:13) The ‘world,’ that is contemporary secular society, is committed to a life style based on the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the vainglory of life. (cf. 1 John 2:15-17) The world will not tolerate the example of a life which challenges its basic commitments. Therefore, the world’s animosity should not surprise the follower of Christ or cause him to marvel.
Cain also represents our old nature, that nature which characterized our lives before we passed out of death into life through the power of Christ. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.” (1 John 3:14 ASV) The most powerful, most common, and most prominent emotion in our old nature was hate. In the context of that old nature, “Hatred is so natural and so universal, that love is a certain proof of the presence in one of a new life principle, of the experience of a new birth, of the possession of a new moral nature:” (Charles R. Erdman, The General Epistles, (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1919), p. 133) The transition from the state of death to life, expressed by the words, “passed out of death into life” is so fundamental that it is like becoming a citizen of another country.
A person may claim that he has new life through Christ, but if love for his brethren is not present in his conduct, he abides in death. He is still a citizen of his previous country, that is of death. He has not migrated. He has not become citizen of the kingdom of Christ.
“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15 ASV) The person who hates his brother, “is a murderer, because he is cherishing the motive which would result in the act, were all restraints removed and were the opportunity given.” (Charles R. Erdman, The General Epistles, (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1919), p. 133) When hatred is in our heart, “the spirit which would lead to murder is there, and God will hold us responsible for it. … God judges men as he sees them to be in their hearts.” (Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical, James, Peter, John, and Jude, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1951), p.321)
The apostle John reminded the followers of Christ to whom he was writing that, “ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15) How did they know this truth? The teaching seems to be a reiteration of Jesus’ teaching from his Sermon on The Mount in which he said, “everyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.” (Matthew 5:22 ASV) Probably most followers of Christ who lived in the apostolic age had heard sermons which reiterated what Jesus had taught on that occasion.
Also, they well may have known instinctively that murderers do not have eternal life for God has given all of us the ability to know some of the most basic moral issues. They seem to be intuitively perceived. For example, Paul wrote to the Romans, “… they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.” (Romans 2:14-15 NIV)
Love is defined by the example of Jesus. Therefore, “because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16 ASV) Jealousy and hate were demonstrated by Cain. Jealousy and hate take the lives of others. In sharp contrast, love, as shown in Jesus, sacrifices itself for the well being of others!
Love is demonstrated by deeds. Therefore, “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Only in this way can we demonstrate love. Rather than take a brother’s life through hatred which leads to murder, we should give our life for him whenever the giving of our life will save his.