¹¹ For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we are to love one another; ¹² not as Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And for what reason did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous.  ¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. ¹⁶ We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. ¹⁹ We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will set our heart at ease before Him, ²⁰ that if our heart condemns us, that God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; ²² and whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

Sermon Outline:

1. A Righteous Love Leads to Life (11-12)
2. A Worldly Hate Leads to Death (13-15)
3. A Giving Heart is Driven by Truth (16-18)
4. A Truthful Heart is Pleasing to God (19-22)