1 John 3:11-24 - God Is Love, So Love One Another

11 For this is the Message you have heard from the beginning--that we are to love one another. 12 We are not to resemble Cain, who was a child of the Evil one and killed his own brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own actions were wicked and his brother's actions righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 14 As for us, we know that we have already passed out of death into Life--because we love our brother men. He who is destitute of love continues dead. 15 Every one who hates his brother man is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has the Life of the Ages continuing in him.

16 We know what love is--through Christ's having laid down His life on our behalf; and in the same way we ought to lay down our lives for our brother men. 17 But if any one has this world's wealth and sees that his brother man is in need, and yet hardens his heart against him--how can such a one continue to love God?

18 Dear children, let us not love in words only nor with the lips, but in deed and in truth. 19 And in this way we shall come to know that we are loyal to the truth, and shall satisfy our consciences in His presence 20 in whatever matters our hearts condemn us--because God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have perfect confidence towards God; 22 and whatever we ask for we obtain from Him, because we obey His commands and do the things which are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His command--that we are to believe in His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us to do. 24 The man who obeys His commands continues in union with God, and God continues in union with him; and through His Spirit whom He has given us we can know that He continues in union with us.