Biblical love is far more than a feeling or an emotion. It is visible, active, and expressed through our actions toward others. In this message from our series Avenues of Assurance, we examine how genuine love serves as clear evidence that we belong to Christ and that He lives in us. The Apostle John challenges us to move beyond words and demonstrate love in practical, sacrificial ways. As we study 1 John 3:11-24, we discover what our hands reveal about our hearts and how Christ calls us to reflect His love in everyday life.
Here is the passage in the King James Version:
“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:11-24, KJV)
Reject the World’s Pattern of Hatred (verses 11-15) John begins with a clear message heard from the beginning: we should love one another. He immediately contrasts this with a negative example from the first brothers in human history, Cain and Abel. Cain, who was of that wicked one, slew his brother because his own works were evil and his brother’s were righteous.
We must reject the world’s pattern of hatred. The world hated Abel’s righteousness, and it will often hate us when we live for Christ. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that anger without cause places us in danger of judgment, just as murder does. Hatred is murder in seed form. John states plainly, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:14-15, KJV)
Ongoing hatred in the heart contradicts a profession of faith in Christ. While most believers will never commit physical murder, many have harboured resentment or bitterness that resembles Cain’s attitude. We must choose daily to reject this pattern and instead walk in love.
Demonstrate Christ’s Love Through Sacrificial Action (verses 16-18) John points us to the supreme example of love: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16, KJV) Love has hands. It is not merely spoken but shown in deed and in truth.
If we possess this world’s goods and see a brother or sister in need yet close our hearts to them, how can the love of God dwell in us? True love responds to practical needs. It buys groceries for a family facing hardship, offers a ride, watches children for exhausted parents, or visits the sick. Love inconveniences itself because Christ inconvenienced Himself by leaving heaven, coming to earth, and dying on the cross for us.
Love is defined by Calvary. Cain’s hands took life through hatred, but Christ’s hands gave life through sacrifice. We demonstrate Christ’s love when we give, serve, and lay down our lives in small but meaningful ways for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Rest in the Confidence Brought by Loving Obedience (verses 19-24) Loving obedience brings assurance. John writes, “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” (1 John 3:19, KJV) When our hearts condemn us for falling short, we remember that God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. Yet when we walk in obedience, we enjoy confidence toward God.
This confidence flows from keeping His commandments: believing on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and loving one another. As we allow Christ to live through us, our prayers align with His will and find answers according to His purposes. Assurance of salvation rests not primarily on a past decision but on the present evidence of Christ at work in our lives.
Conclusion Love has hands. It rejects the hatred modelled by Cain and embraces the sacrificial love demonstrated by Christ. As believers, we are called to serve others practically, forgive freely, and walk in obedience. In doing so, we reflect the character of our Saviour and find growing confidence in our relationship with God.
If you have never trusted Christ as your Saviour, today is the day to place your faith in Him alone. Salvation comes not through our loving actions but through His finished work on the cross. For those who know Him, ask the Lord to search your heart and remove any trace of Cain’s attitude. Let Him transform you into His likeness so that His love flows through your hands to those around you.
May we live as those in whom Christ truly abides.
