Murder And Death

Beloved: This is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the Evil One and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be amazed, then, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.

Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God. (1 John 3:11-21)

Truer words have never been spoken!  Too bad our Congress cannot be ruled by this message instead of pursuit of power, prestige, and money.  The current struggle to elect a Speaker of the House of Representatives is testimony to the effects of hatred and distrust.  

Consider that 88 % of this 118th Congress claims to be Christian.  Then, where is Christ in all their debates and closed-door sessions? Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer according to John.  Whoever does not love remains in death.  Therefore, Congress has become the scene of a crime and appears to be a graveyard for many who have lost or sold their souls.

Deacon David Pierce