The message you heard from the beginning: love one another (v11).
Don't be like Cain; you have crossed into a new way of life (v12-15)
He was from the evil one, not born of God.
He murdered his brother, his deeds were evil.
The world operates like Cain, not Christ.
Biblical Truth and Principle: With respect to eternal life, a hateful attitude of the heart is no different than a hateful deed in action.
Loving one another is based on the historical event of the crucifixion of Jesus (v16a).
Jesus voluntarily endured unimaginable torture, an agonizing death, a painful betrayal by his disciples, and total abandonment by His Father who he perfectly obeyed.
He endured all this...
Biblical Truth and Principle: Taken to heart, this love transforms our actions toward each other (16b-17).
In our willingness to... be rich in generosity with our resources to demonstrate God’s love.
In our readiness to... have open hearts toward those in need.
in our call to... love not in mere talk but in deed and in truth