June 5, 2026

Isaac Ruddle
"For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
1 John 3:11-18

This passage highlights our actions as Christians; it compares love to life and hatred to death and murder. It calls out our actions: what are we doing? Am I like Cain, holding anger and resentment in my heart that leads to hatred, or am I living like Jesus, the one who sacrificed everything? Before we answer the question “What are we doing?”, answer the question “Does my heart belong in full submission to Jesus?” Proverbs says that everything we do flows out of the state of our hearts. These verses call us to humility and love exemplified by God himself. To not follow the ways of this world and crave violence and murder. 

These verses also show us that we are not immune to hate if we do love; in fact, John tells us not to be surprised. But we have gone from death to life, only by the one who has defeated death forever. 

The application here is to assess yourself. Yes, maybe of your actions and your love towards other people, but more so of the heart that causes hate. After the sin that is crouching at your door is identified, or that mosquito Jose talked about on Sunday, surrender it to Jesus. Do not try to kill the mosquito or the bear; let the one who defeated death and sin forever have your heart, and you will walk in freedom and love. 

Question: Does Jesus have my heart? And how is the state of my heart affecting the way I love others?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your cross, your sacrifice, and the example of love that you set for me. I give you my heart, and I surrender what has been occupying it. Let me submit to your will and live as though I have gone from death to life.