Unsurprising Hatred

The Message from the Beginning

The purpose of 1 John is to help us spot Christians—to know what a Christian looks like and show the difference between believers and unbelievers. These truths instruct us to examine our own lives to see if we manifest the realities of salvation. John wants us to have complete joy by recognizing we are Christians according to his criteria. Christianity is the only source of true, permanent, lasting joy, which requires assurance of our salvation.

John is not asking if you say you're a Christian—that's easy. Do you meet the description of a Christian as provided by the Apostle John? He continues the theme of the gospel message: God is light, Jesus is our propitiation and advocate. This draws out a specific concept of love.

In our day, "love" is overused by those with conflicting worldviews. People say "love wins," "all you need is love," and "we hate hate." But there's little definition of what love is. John says it's the message heard from the beginning of Jesus' ministry: we should love one another.

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. (1 John 3:11-12)

Cain and Abel: Evil Hates Righteousness

John gives the obvious example of Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother Abel. Why? Because Cain's deeds were evil and Abel's were righteous. Cain was evil; Abel was righteous, offering the best of his flock in worship. Abel was a good man, right with God. Yet Cain hated him enough to murder his own brother.

Imagine hating your sibling so much you'd kill them—pure, raw hatred. Cain hated Abel because Abel did what was right. Abel's righteousness convicted Cain of his evil.

Do Not Be Surprised at the World's Hatred

John applies this to us: if you profess faith and live like a Christian—committed to church, worship, obedience—you should not be surprised that the world hates you. Jesus said, "If they hated me, they will hate you."

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. (1 John 3:13)

It should be surprising if the world likes you. Your righteous deeds antagonize the wicked, exposing their evil like light exposes darkness. Jesus said people hate the light because their deeds will be exposed (John 3).

Examine your non-Christian friends: how many hate you? If they get along fine, are you distinguishable? When Christians and non-Christians do the same things, there's no conviction, no need for salvation.

A Personal Testimony

When I became a Christian, I had no Christian friends, only non-Christians. I tried hanging out, but at a party, being sober made me the lamest one there. They grew hostile. When I told my best friend I was done with that life, he said, "When you're done with that Christian thing, call me." It was mutual—they hated my change.

In North America, this "persecution" is mild—rude words, not lions. But it proves authenticity. If unbelievers think you're awesome because you're just like them, examine your salvation.

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:14-15)

Love the Brothers

We pass from death to life because we love the brothers—God's people. Hating a brother makes you a murderer without eternal life. Christians love Christians; that's how we know we're saved.

Do you prefer unbelievers' company? Is it easier to fit in with them? I once preferred unbelieving friends in school—they accepted me more than youth group Christians. Looking back, it makes sense: I wasn't a Christian then. True Christians recognize each other; the world accepts its own.

Examine your attitude: Do you long for blood-bought saints? Friendship with the world is hostility toward God. Judge your preferences—if unbelievers hate you for your righteousness, rejoice. It confirms you're walking in the light.