1. Two contrasting attitudes
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11 (ESV)
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 (ESV)
12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 1 John 3:12 (ESV)
3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. Genesis 4:3-5 (ESV)
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7 (ESV)
8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:8 (ESV)
13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates
you . . . 14 . . . Whoever does not love abides in death . . . 1 John 3:13; 14 (ESV)
2. Two contrasting actions
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer 1 John 3:15 (ESV)
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder . . . 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; . . . Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV)
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 (ESV)
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James 2:15-16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)
3. Two contrasting aftermaths
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers . . . 15 . . . and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:14-15 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)