devotion 1jn 3:11-16

Directions:  Read the passage outloud three times.  Meditate on it.  What is new?  How does this apply to my life?  This type of meditation is called lectio devina from Catholic origins.  It doesn't have to be creative.  Just be willing to be taught.


Is there murder in the church?  Each of you who have said Racca meaning you fool is in danger of Hell Fire.  It reminds me of the age old story of the right year old boy who gives the pastor a quarter and tells him it is his offering.  Says the boy, ”Since Father says you are a poor preacher, I figure you could use the money.”

Maybe we don’t envy or despise our brothers, but maybe we do something almost as bad—we ignore them.  God the Father, and Jesus Christ never ignored us.  Yet while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us that we might become children of God.

Anyone who does not love his brother remains in death.  Are we walking around a mausoleum when we walk around church?  Death smells.  I guarantee it.  Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer and you know there is no eternal life in him.

So what is it going to be?  We choose the courtyard of the King or a death yard of perished and perishing saints.  He has the power for each and every situation but first we have to make a choice.  We can have his kind of life, but first we have to give that life to others.