I John 3:11-24

THE EXAMPLE OF CAIN

At the end of our last section we saw that those who are not born of God do not love their brothers.  Cain and Abel are presented as the prototypes of this reality.  There have always been children of the devil and children of God.  Abel is a true adopted son of God.  We know this because he worshipped God in faith (Genesis 4:4, Hebrews 11:4).  Cain is a different story.  Notice he is presented as the brother of Abel.  They had the same parents.  Cain is even seen as a worshipper of God (Genesis 4:3).  However, not all who attempt to worship God are born of God.  This was a reality in Ephesus and Asia Minor and it is alive in the church today.  Gnostic teachers wanted to tear the early church apart.  Many still want to divide the church today.  Many look not to the good of the entire body, but only to building a following for themselves (I Corinthians 12:12-26; Philippians 1:15).  Those who truly are born of God will not desire to harm their brothers.  Cain murdered his brother.  According to Jesus, anger is the same as murder (Matthew 5:21-24).  Those born of God will not hate or murder, but instead love their brothers.  We know that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, but we see again in John that love is the fruit that points to true salvation.

THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST

Have you ever heard the term “Christus Exemplar?”  It means that Christ is our example.  We see this truth at work within our text.  Love doesn’t hate or murder.  Many think because they do neither of these they are model citizens.  When we look to Jesus, we see yet another example of what love is not.  Love is not indifferent.  Love doesn’t just use words.  It uses actions.  Let’s be clear on this point.  Jesus was not a martyr.  What I mean is that no one took His life from Him.  He laid down His life willingly for those He loved (John 10:11-18; 15:13).  John makes clear that to bless someone without helping them is not blessing them at all.  Love is never indifferent.  Love acts on behalf of others.

Self-absorption is the problem in the American church that many have become blind to.  We live in a highly individualized society and so we see the fruits in our religious systems.  The self-help and prosperity gospel have taken hold and is focusing everyone on themselves.  Take notice in your local Christian bookstore how many volumes are aimed at building up individual believers.  You can be great.  You can have it all.  You can get what you want.  You can be a great leader.  There is certainly nothing wrong with bettering yourself as you follow Christ.  However, notice how little is written about loving others.  Yet, this is the example of Christ.  He didn’t make Himself great.  He laid down His life for others who were less than He.  If your prayers are only about you, according to John, it’s not Christ you are following.

A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

Allow me to quote for you one of Martin Luther’s famous quips.  He had been indicted for his teachings against the legalism of his peers.  With his life on the line, he spoke…

“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason – for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves – I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.”