1 John 3:13-16

The Danger of Hatred

So, it should come as no surprise when the world hates us when we do things pleasing to God (John 15:18-20). Good works expose evil works and their reward stirs envy in the hearts of evil workers. We should not encourage the hatred of the world but live lives of example that may win them to the Lord's way (1 John 3:13; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:16-17).

God's children have migrated from spiritual death to life (Ephesians 2:1; John 5:24-25; Colossians 2:13). We can have certain knowledge that we have so migrated if we love the brethren. A failure to love the brethren is a clear sign we are still spiritually dead (1 John 3:14).

The end result of hatred is murder (Matthew 5:21-22). Murder will certainly lead to the exclusion from eternal life with the Father, so we must avoid its beginnings. Jesus taught His followers to love instead of hate when He laid down His life for those who were enemies of His Father, or sinners (John 15:13; Romans 5:6-8). Jesus voluntarily died that we might have life (John 10:11; John 10:17-18; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His great sacrifice compels Christians to have the same attitude of sacrificial love toward their brethren (1 John 3:15-16; 1 Corinthians 8:8-13; Galatians 6:1-2; Galatians 6:10).