1 John, 3
12. Do not imitate Cain who killed his brother, for he belonged to the Evil One. Why did he kill him? Because he himself did evil and his brother did good.
12. Do not imitate Cain who killed his brother, for he belonged to the Evil One. Why did he kill him? Because he himself did evil and his brother did good.
1 St. John 3 deals with divine affiliation, fraternal love and the practice of sin. The chapter begins by highlighting the love of the Father for us, who are called the children of God. Then the author emphasizes that he who practices sin is the son of the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning. He also highlights the importance of loving others and shows that this love is a sign that we belong to God. Finally, the chapter talks about the practice of justice and how this is evidence that we are born of God.
Romans 8:16: "The Spirit himself witnesses to our Spirit that we are children of God." This verse highlights the idea of divine sonship mentioned in 1 St. John 3. The author of Romans says that the Holy Spirit testifies that we are children of God, and thus we can cry to him as "Abba, Father."
1 Corinthians 15:33: "Don't be fooled: Bad company corrupts good morals." This verse is related to the excerpt in which the author of 1 St. John 3 emphasizes the importance of loving others. Bad company can lead a person to practice sin, while love for neighbor should lead them to do good.
Hebrews 2:14-15: "Since children have in common flesh and blood, he also participated in these things, so that for his death defeated the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those that throughout life were enslaved for the fear of death. " This verse talks about the defeat of the devil, mentioned in 1 St. John 3 as the one who sins from the beginning. The death of Jesus on the cross releases people from the power of the devil and the fear of death.
James 2:14-17: "What's the point of, my brothers, does anyone say that he has faith if he has no works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is in need of everyday clothes and food and One of you tells you, 'Go in peace, warm yourself and feed yourself until you satisfy', but to give you anything, what is the use of this? , it's dead. " This verse is related to the idea that the practice of justice is evidence that we are born of God, mentioned in 1 St. John 3. James emphasizes that faith without works is dead, that is, faith must be accompanied by actions that demonstrate love of neighbor.
“Esforce-se, mesmo se for um pouco, mas sempre…” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
