May the mumbling commence!
Day five in First John is upon us. Did you think that this short five chapter book would get old? I do not believe we’ve even scratched the surface yet. Yesterday, I looked at how God defines love – as sacrifice. We are not to hate our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to love them. What does this look like? Read from First John chapter three:
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (Verses 11-18)
Why would the author of First John point to the story of Cain and Abel? Cain offered God some of the fruits of his garden, while Abel offered the firstborn of his animals. Cain was envious about God’s affectionate reception of Abel’s gifts because God did not look with favor on Cain’s gifts.
How were Cain’s actions evil? Did Cain offer God his leftover produce rather than the best of his produce – the firstfruits? Second best is not good enough for someone you love. Second best is often not a sacrifice.
On top of all this action, the author of First John wanted us to realize the lie that Cain assumed. Here is the lie: I can judge my relationship with God by watching the relationship that God has with those around me. No. My relationship with God is judged by keeping my focus on God and His commands. My call is to follow Jesus and no one else.
It is all too easy to fall into this trap of looking at others. Peter did after he was reinstated at the end of John’s gospel (21:20-22). And that call to follow Jesus cannot be separated from the call to love our brothers and sisters. Do not forget the thrice repeated question that Jesus posed to Peter in John (21:15-17) – “Do you love me..? Feed my sheep.”
Yes, love is a sacrifice. And in that sacrifice there is a choice that is implied. Love is a conscious choice to leave selfish hatred behind and to pick up sacrifice. The author of First John tells us to hate someone is like murdering them. Sounds kind of harsh, doesn’t it. That is a lofty goal. Does it reflect Jesus’ way? Read from the Sermon on the Mount from the gospel according to Matthew:
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (5:21-22)
Time to leave hatred behind for love. And love is a choice to hold our possession lightly because we know that they really do not belong to us. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” Love is a choice that calls for action. If we see someone in need and have the ability to help them and choose not to, we call short of the lofty goal of a godly love.
By loving other people, we love Jesus. It is the message of the parable recorded in Matthew chapter twenty-five, the parable of the sheep and goats. Love is a sacrifice. Love is a choice. Let us choose to focus on Christ and to love him by loving all our brothers and sisters.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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