1st John 3:11. “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Facial expressions: the widening of the eyes, lifting at the corners of the mouth, the rising higher of the head, the movements forward of the head, extra intake of breath, moistening at the edges of the eyes, the total focus towards the oncoming person – Love for one another is expressed in the face.
Body expressions: the hands open towards the other person, arms are raised in greeting; the feet move towards the on- coming person to shorten the time of meeting, the whole pace is quickened as the ones appreciated and loved come closer – Love for one another is expressed in the body. Vocal expressions: quiet tones are forgotten even when others are around, names are exchanged – not just for introduction but in appreciation, the loud voices of love are lowered as one draws very close - Love for one another is expressed in the voice.
From the beginning the Father loved the Son. What they began they concluded as one. What was there before creation then came under the sun Love for one another was at the beginning.
At the beginning of the incarnation there were loving tones of Mary’s voice, There were those who loved him dearly as a result of their personal choice. It is really hard to tell which of His own loved Him most – Love for one another was at the beginning.
When at the beginning I was saved by God’s grace, I loved Him who on the cross willingly took my place, I anticipated then and do now seeing His face – Love for Christ was at the beginning.
When from time to time I meet a new believer, There is a linkage that affects our behavior, Because we share love for the same Savior – Love for the Lord is at the beginning.
Many of God’s people I have known for years, We have shared in life many joys and fears, All of us together will rejoice when He appears – Love is greater than at the beginning.
“Gracious Father, I thank Thee and praise Thee for Thy love which has been placed in my heart. I can honestly say to Thee, Father, I love Thee and I love the Lord’s people. May it always be so and may I never let anything come into my life that will diminish that love in any way. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The illustration of Cain and Abel is used to emphasize the difference between one who is morally righteous and brings to God that which He wanted as a sacrifice, and one who is arrogant and proud and has no love for God. Cain was like his father the devil. His hatred toward his brother was the result of the evil nature in him that led him to offer God that which pleased him rather than God. Because God accepted Abel's sacrifice and not his, the way it was, and because God gave him the opportunity to do that which was right and he refused, his evil nature burst forth in jealous anger and murder. The moral uprightness of Abel exposed the self-centeredness of Cain. Resentment by those who do wrong against those who are morally upright is still in evidence today in people who live immorally. The wicked are still hostile against the righteous.
That brought about John's words of encouragement in the next verses. There will be continual antagonism against moral light by those living in immoral darkness. This is to be expected so do not be too concerned when it happens nor expect anything different. "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with and infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" This opposition is against "my brethren" - the brotherhood of believers, and should not be taken only as a personal attack.