Hatred = Murder

1 John 3:15 tells me that if I hate my brother, I am a murderer. Wow! Have you ever hated someone? Cain hated his brother and his hatred let him to kill his brother. You might think that you would never be capable of doing something so severe, but the Bible tells us that if we hate someone it is just like murder in God's eyes. Is there a relationship you need to reconcile? If so, pray that God would give you opportunity and grace to reconcile that relationship. Ask Him to help you confess any wrongs you have done toward the other person that Christ may be glorified! Don't let hatred boil in your heart.

Do Not Be Surprised!

Do you love surprises? I do...when they are for special celebrations or just because. But I hate being surprised by a scary noise in the dark! Well, we have a warning here in 1 John 3:13 - it says, "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you." Why would the world hate you? Should the world hate you? What should your reaction be to their hate?

A Bad Example

1 John 3:12 tells us that we should not be like Cain. We will spend the next couple of days studying the story of Cain from Genesis 4:1-16. Cain's attitude and behavior are bad examples to follow. Is your life full of selfishness, anger, depression and rejection of biblical counsel? Be warned! Cain had these same attitudes and he murdered!