1 John 3:11-15; Psalm 19

1 John 3:11-15
Sometimes we have to hear a message over and over. That's the case with the "love one another" message. John goes on to tell us what we must NOT do, and he uses Cain as a bad example. Cain killed his brother Abel in a jealous, murderous rage. Abel had been doing what was right and apparently Cain had not. Sometimes the good works of a person tend to point out the lack of such in others, and anger and jealousy are the result. "So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." v. 13

Christianity is an internal religion. It's not enough for our outward behaviors to conform to some standard. A true Christian is pure from the inside out, and his or her behavior is evidence of what's inside. Our love proves that we have eternal life. Hatred in our hearts is a sin against God (we are murderers at heart!) even though we do not commit the outward sin of murder.

Psalm 19
This is a beautiful psalm that deals with four subjects.

• God's majestic creation vv. 1-6  Particularly the heavens--the sky--show us every day how great and powerful and organized our God is. When we look at the night sky or sun, we instinctively know that there is a God!
• God's Word vv. 7-11 
• The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.
• The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
• The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.
• The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.
• The laws of the Lord are true and fair--more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
• God's Word is sweeter than honey
• It warns and it rewards those who obey them
• David's sinfulness. vv. 12-13 Again we see, as we did in 1 John, that it's what's in our hearts that's really important. 
• God's forgiveness. vv. 12-14 David confesses his sin and enjoys the cleansing that comes with God's forgiveness.