1 John 3:4-6 Sin

What is sin? 1 John 3:4 says, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” Should we be legalistic, returning to the letter of the law? The new covenant is “not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6) Jesus taught that a bad thought breaks the law (Matthew 5:22, 28). What hope do we have then? 1 John 3:5-6 says, “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin.” Jesus covers our sins (Romans 4:7).

Politics of Hate

Murder and hate go hand in hand (1 John 3:15). Murder of a political enemy is a common theme of history. French royalty used the guillotine. British royalty had enemies pulled apart by four horses, drawn and quartered. Our politicians use their tongues to destroy each other. The cause of John the Baptist’s death was the politics of hate (Mark 6:14-29). Herod had him beheaded and presented his head on a platter. Are we any different? Politics manipulates the truth and we believe it. We don’t know all the facts, yet politics has incited us to hatred because the more we hate the more we will vote for the other party. When we allow hatred of one another, hatred of a political party, hatred of even our enemies to enter our hearts, we are no different than Herod.