Unsurprising Hatred

The Message from the Beginning

The whole purpose of 1 John is to spot Christians—to know what a Christian looks like and show the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. These truths instruct us to examine our own lives to see if we manifest the realities of salvation. That's how we have joy, as John wants our joy to be complete. Christianity is the only source of true, permanent, lasting joy, which requires recognizing the reality of your salvation. John isn't asking if you say you're a Christian—anyone can say that. Do you meet John's description?

John continues the theme of the gospel message: God is light, Jesus is our propitiation and advocate. This draws out the 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 no definition. 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.

Cain and Abel: A Clear Example

John gives an obvious example: Cain, of the evil one, murdered his brother Abel because his deeds were evil and Abel's were righteous. This echoes the Garden of Eden account. Abel worshiped God with the best of his flock; he was righteous, right with God—a good guy you'd want to be around. Cain was evil. Yet Cain hated Abel enough to murder him, his own brother, simply because Abel did what was right.

Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that hatred is murder. John echoes this:

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 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.

Don't Be Surprised by the World's Hatred

Christians, don't be surprised if the world hates you. Jesus said, "If they hated me, they will hate you." If you worship God, read His Word, pray, confess sin, and repent, the world should hate you. It would be surprising if worldly people like you and get along with you.

Think about your non-Christian friends: how many hate you? The world hates righteous deeds because they convict evil. Jesus said people hate the light because their deeds are exposed. If you walk in the light, your life antagonizes the wicked.

When I became a Christian, my non-Christian friends grew hostile. At parties, being sober made me the lamest one there—they formed a pact excluding me. My best friend said, "When you're done with that Christian thing, give me a call." It was mutual. Don't be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

In North America, this persecution is mild—verbal abuse, not lions in the Colosseum. But it stinks. Yet if unbelievers hate you, it proves the authenticity of your faith. If they think you're awesome and can't distinguish you from them, examine your salvation. Christians are distinguishable from the world like light from darkness.

Love for the Brothers

We know we've passed from death to life because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Hating a brother makes you a murderer without eternal life. If the world hates you for righteous deeds like Abel's—devoted to God, repenting, serving—great. But examine your attitude toward Christians: do you prefer unbelievers' company? Friendship with the world is enmity with God.

John isn't saying isolate completely—you can't avoid unbelievers. But judge your heart: do you long for blood-bought saints, your spiritual family? Or do you prefer the world because it's easier?

In my youth group, unbelieving friends accepted me more than Christians. Looking back, it makes sense: I wasn't a Christian then. True Christians sensed I wasn't one of them; unbelievers accepted me because I was like them. Examine your life: who do you prefer? Does being with Christians feel sweet? If unbelievers hate you as a reminder of their wrong, rejoice—it's evidence you're saved.