This is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another

  Good morning. So, how does John tie together not practicing righteousness and not loving your brother together? This is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. When you practice sin, you despise/hate anyone who practices righteousness. Most people, however, do not resort to murder when this happens. The end result of practicing righteousness – do not be surprised if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. That is the litmus test. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. That’s really strong – to call them a murderer. Father help us to love our fellow Christians even as You loved us.

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