“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” 1 John 3:15 NIV
A person whose life is marked by selfish hatred of others shows no evidence of new life in Christ. That is the meaning of John’s words in verses of 1 John 3:14 and 15. He is not saying that no murderer may be saved. Paul was a murderer before he was saved, and both David and Moses murdered men after the Lord had laid His hand upon their lives and called them to serve Him. As in 1 John 3:9, John, in these verses uses present tense verbs that point to the overall direction of a person’s life. A person whose life is marked by a pattern of selfishness, envy, jealousy, strife and hatred gives evidence that they remain in spiritual death. While John’s words are an evidential test of a person’s spiritual condition, they are also an encouragement to those that profess to believe in Christ. As believers, we all too often battle the hatred that stems from our own selfishness. While on the one hand, spiritual growth results inevitably from the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, on the other hand, it does not happen without our constant effort. Whenever the deeds of the flesh, our old human nature, rear their ugly heads, we must put them to death and replace them with the fruit of the Spirit. This comes through a daily commitment and surrender to walking under the influence of the Holy Spirit, which will lead to the fruit of the Spirit being produced in our daily living. Take time to read Galatians 5:19-23.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Holy Spirit, produce Your fruit in our lives as we walk with You.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Holy Spirit, through our daily commitment and surrender to walking under Your influence, produce in us Your Fruit of the Spirit so our lives will reflect the image of Jesus to others. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Philemon 1:8-17
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