1 John 3:9-19

9 Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His^[a] seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

10 This is how God's children-and the Devil's children-are made evident. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother.

Love's Imperative

11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another,

12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered^[b] his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's were righteous.

13 Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

Love in Action

16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.

17 If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but shuts off his compassion from him-how can God's love reside in him?

18 Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth;

19 that is how we will know we are of the truth, and will convince our hearts in His presence,