Loving Each Other

Introduction

A. I was in college. Like many then not so much now, I drove whatever I could afford. My parents didn’t pay for a car for college. Having wrecked my first car, I was driving my second car—a 1972 Buick Skylark. Two doors with a 350 V-8 engine. I bought it used. My problem was I didn’t realize how used it had been. Previous owners had enjoyed the power of that car. I got to use the last days of that car’s life.

B. My parents were not wealthy people. Our family rules included “if you buy a car you have to be able to afford it—gas, oil, maintenance, insurance, and repairs—all became part of the privilege of owning the car. So owning a car meant a job. My job included a car. I delivered newspapers. Made a decent income—covered my car expenses, dating, fun, contribution, and some school expenses. My problem was this car was constantly breaking down and if it wasn’t breaking down the 10 miles to the gallon meant that I was buying gas every other day. When the car broke down, it meant that I had to borrow my parent’s car in order to do my job. They didn’t mind too much.

C. I found a mechanic who would fix the car and allow me to make payments on the repairs. I paid as much as I could as quickly as I could, but I always seemed to owe a little more on the car. My first year of college was financially tough. My car once again needed repairs. This time the head gasket needed to be replaced and the valves needed to be ground and reseated. Not an inexpensive venture. The repairs were made and while I have long forgotten the bill total, I knew that the rest of my life would be spent paying the mechanic. I will never forget when my mentor gave me $50 to help pay the bill. I was not only blessed; I was humbled. Even better he never wanted the money back.

D. Perhaps you have had similar experiences? Our text reminds us that love is seen in actions. Acts of love especially when we see another in need demonstrate God’s love for us. John writes that those who belong to God will act like him when the opportunity presents itself. May we be reminded of God’s love today.

The Text

A. Notice that verses 10 & 11 go together. The children of God are characterized by righteousness. The children of God do not practice sin. They also love one another. Here is the point that John picks up in our text. John announces the point of the section in verse 11—Love one another. He alluded to this command in 2:7ff. In our text he continues the idea of what it means to love one another with a contrast. John contrasts Cain and Jesus. The contrast makes sense. Cain demonstrates the lack of love and Jesus the presence of love.

B. Cain hated his brother. Abel did righteous acts. But Cain hated him. His own unrighteous acts demonstrated that he belonged to the evil one. A link to verse 10. This is how it is in this world. Evil people hate good people. Such hatred results in murder. Verse 14 is an interesting verse. John says that our love for our brothers proves that we have moved from death to life. Jesus uses the same concept in John 5:24. In that text, Jesus says that those who accept him as coming from the Father have eternal life and they have passed from death to life. John is writing to a group who has lost a rogue group of people who have rejected Jesus as the Messiah. These are the ones who do not have eternal life. John’s words serve two purposes:

i. To made a distinction between those who are children of God and those who have pulled away from the believers.

ii. To further elicit righteous actions which demonstrate that they are children of God—love each other.

iii. Thus, hatred equals murder. To deny the worth, value or rights of another is hatred. To hate another means there is no life within; only death.

C. John turns his attention to the other side of the contrast—Jesus. This is how we know what love is—Jesus laid down his life for us and those who belong to him will do the same thing. John does not mean that one should take “a bullet” for another although if that presents itself that sacrifice might be necessary. No person can atone for the sins of another in the way that Jesus did. John is focusing on the attitude which expresses itself in righteous acts. To lay down his life for his brothers, Jesus had to say “no” to his own life. This is what God expects—a willingness to say “no” to self so that others may live.

D. John expands on this type of love through the example of caring for the basic needs of our brothers. Those who have are to say “no” to self in order for the needs of another to be met. It isn’t merely to give for another. Notice in verse 17 that John uses the word “pity.” The act of providing must be accompanied by an emotional response of concern. For John to love another means that we sacrifice our material possessions in order for the needs of another to be met. And we do this with a sense of compassion and concern for the one who is hurting. No regret; no judging that says “get your life together;” no “I’m doing you a favor and you owe me.” True concern.

Evidence

A. This is part of our vision for Park Avenue. While John is speaking specifically of loving the brothers (see verse 16), his point is not exclusive. It is in our loving one another that the world will be convinced that we are disciples of Jesus. However, our care and concern does not end with our brothers, but only begins with our brothers. The need of the world is not for heroic acts of martyrdom, but for heroic acts of material sacrifice. This is what it means to be a child of God. Do you align with Cain who hated or with Jesus who loved? What is the proof?

B. Those who align with Cain devalue the worth of others. Someone may say that they are not like Cain. They have not murdered anyone. The only difference between Cain who murders quickly and the one who refuses to help those in need is the amount of time necessary for death. But then one may be murdered by the attitude of one against another.

i. To look down your nose at another is to devalue that person.

ii. To think that you are better than another is to deny a person's worth.

iii. To think that the person in need is in their condition because they do not work hard enough is to deny the basic necessities and demonstrates hatred.

iv. To hold on to one's possessions without sacrificing for those in need is to be no different from Cain.

C. On the other hand, those who align with Jesus demonstrate that they are children of God through their righteous deeds.

i. We say "no" to self in order to see another live.

ii. We are moved with great pity to help those who do not have.

iii. I have seen this spirit among us. I saw it last week when on very short notice food was brought for those in need.

iv. I saw this recently when the people in Haiti were in need and over $3200 was collected in one day to assist in their plight.

v. I have seen individuals care for another family out of their own pockets.

vi. I have seen members anonymously give large sums to help families in this congregation.

vii. I have seen the spirit of Christ in sacrifice over and over again.

viii. I have seen those who have sharing with those who do not have and I know love lives here.

ix. May we never forget the words of John—Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth. Prayer.

x. Invitation.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.