Abiding in Him: Do Not marvel, brothers, if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13-17

1 John 3:13-17

13 Do not marvel, brothers, if the world hates you.

            The word hate is the Greek word miseō, and it means hate. To strongly dislike or have aversion toward someone or something that usually results in separation between the one who hates and the thing hated.[1] When John speaks of the world, he speaks of the world system and those blinded by it. The world is broken by sin. It is built upon the lies and deceptions of Satan. When Lucifer rebelled against God, he desired to be God. He is the god of this age who has blinded the minds and hearts of people (2 Cor 4:4). Those of us in Christ live in enemy territory. This world is not our home.

            We may sometimes be surprised when we encounter pushback or opposition because of our commitment to Christ. However, we must understand the source of this resistance. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Every individual who stands against us and our commitment to Christ does so because they are influenced and deceived by the enemy. Let us pray that eyes and hearts would be opened and softened to Jesus Christ and the gospel.

14 We know that we have passed over from death to life because we love the brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

            John emphasizes throughout this letter the importance of walking in love and remaining in His love. We cannot call ourselves disciples of Christ if we do not live and walk in His love. If we abide in Him, He will transform and change us from the inside out. His very character and nature will be evident in our lives. Our ability to love is only possible when we abide and remain in Him.

            We have passed from death to life. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our sins have been forgiven. We no longer fear death because Jesus overcame sin, death, and the grave. Eternal life is to know Jesus Christ. Through knowing Him and coming to saving faith, our sins are washed away. The fear of death no longer holds power over us.

            John writes, " The one who does not love remains in death. “ This is true because our inability to love shows that we are not in Christ. Simply sitting in a pew or chair on Sunday morning doesn’t make us a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ. Church attendance doesn’t save us. What saves us and transforms us is intimacy with Jesus Christ. To know Him and walk with Him is to be changed and transformed into His image and likeness. Again, the emphasis here is on love and its importance in the life of a disciple of Jesus. One of the great strategies and schemes of the devil is to create division and discord. Those who walk in love will be guarded and delivered from division and discord because they have chosen to love, which results in their willingness to forgive.

15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that every murderer does not have eternal life residing in him.

            Do we truly walk in love? The true sign of a disciple of Jesus Christ is one who walks in love. There may be brothers and sisters in Christ who rub us the wrong way, but it doesn’t give us grounds to disregard them or harbor hatred in our hearts against them. The enemy will always try to cause division and discord because God’s desire is for us to walk in unity, and when God’s people walk in unity, this is when the purposes of God are accomplished.

            Through the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, John compares hating one’s brother to committing murder. Jesus said this in Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ⌊people of old⌋, ‘Do not commit murder,’ and ‘whoever commits murder will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’ will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’ will be subject to fiery hell.[2] What occurs in the heart will manifest in a person's life. The ability to forgive and to walk in love results from abiding in Him. God’s love is perfect, and the only way we can truly walk in His love is by abiding in Him and relying on His grace for everything.

            John writes you know that every murderer does not have eternal life residing in him. Eternal life is knowing Jesus Christ. Throughout this letter, John makes a distinction between the children of God and those who are not. If we are truly children of God, our hearts and minds must be aligned with Him, and His life must be reflected in us. 

 16 We have come to know love by this: that ⌊he⌋ laid down his life on behalf of us, and we ought to lay down our lives on behalf of the brothers.

            Jesus exemplified what it means to love. He laid down His life for us. We don’t deserve His love. Even while we were still sinners and far from God, He chose to endure incredible suffering because of His love for us. If only one person would have come to Christ, He would have given everything for the sake of that one. He is the one who leaves the 99 to pursue the 1.

            What is our response in understanding and recognizing this love? We are called to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. This is what sacrificial love looks like. Will there be those within the body of Christ who may irritate us, rub us the wrong way, and even hurt us? Yes, because the body of Christ is composed of people who are broken and imperfect. But the reason we love is that He first loved us. The greatest sign that we are followers of Jesus is that we walk in love and love one another.

 17 But whoever has the world’s material possessions and observes his brother ⌊in need⌋ and shuts his heart against him, how does the love of God reside in him?

            If we claim to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and if we have material possessions yet see a need we are unwilling to meet, how can we assert that we truly love? The word “ reside " comes from the Greek word “ menō, " which means to remain or stay (i.e., lodge). Among its many uses, “ menō “ can refer to dwelling, living, or lodging.[3] If the love of God lives within us, it will be manifested in our lives. The love God speaks of results in outward action; it is not merely saying that we love someone but truly living this love out.

            This is what distinguishes the body of Christ from the world. Jesus stated that the love of most would grow cold in the last days due to the rise of sin. Those who are separated from God cannot walk in His love; however, it is only through knowing Him that we can walk in His love. May we abide in Him. May we become more like Him every single day. May His love fill us, and when we have the chance to meet a need, may we do so willingly and sacrificially.

Prayer

Father, thank you for loving us. Help us love as you love us. Fill us with your love and help us walk in it. Enable us to grow in your love. Jesus, may my life glorify you in all things. Remove anything from my life that may hinder your work. Holy Spirit, fill my life; lead, guide, and direct me to walk in your purpose and will. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

[1] Adam Robinson, “Abhorrence,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[2] W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Mt 5:21–22.

[3] Garwood P. Anderson, “Hospitality,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).