1 John 3:15
The sermon explores the serious implications of hatred as a form of murder and its consequences on eternal life.
John Gill emphasizes the serious nature of hatred towards others, equating it to murder in the heart, as it reflects a deep-seated malice that violates God's commandments. He explains that such hatred not only harms the one who is hated but also destroys the hater's own soul, indicating that true eternal life cannot coexist with such sin. Gill reassures that while murder is a grave sin, repentance and faith in Christ can lead to forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. He warns that without genuine transformation and the presence of the Holy Spirit, one remains unfit for eternal life. The sermon calls for self-examination and a commitment to love rather than hate.
Text
Ver. 15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer,....
A soul murderer, as the Ethiopic version renders it; not only of himself, for every sinner, by sinning, wrongs and destroys his own soul; but of his brother whom he hates: he is a murderer of him in his heart, even as he that lusts after a woman hath committed adultery with her in his heart, out of which arise murders, as well as adulteries; it is not only taking away life, but also causeless anger, malice, and hatred, that is a breach of the sixth command; see Mt 5:21;
and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him; he has not the grace of life, or the beginning of eternal life in him; he has no meetness for it, being unregenerate; and no right unto it, being unrighteous; nor has he the earnest and pledge of it, being destitute of the Spirit of God; all which a regenerate man has, and has them abiding in him: not but that the sin of murder may be forgiven; a man guilty of it may truly repent, and have pardoning grace applied unto him, and enjoy eternal life, through the grace of the Spirit, and the blood and righteousness of Christ; but without these he is so far from having eternal life, that he is not only punishable with a corporeal death, according to the laws of God and man; but he is exposed unto, and will die the second, or an eternal death.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding Hatred as Murder - The Heart's Role in Sin - Comparison to Adultery
- II points: - The Consequences of Hatred - Eternal Life and Its Absence - The Nature of Regeneration
- III points: - Forgiveness and Repentance - The Role of Grace - The Importance of the Spirit
- IV points: - The Breach of the Sixth Commandment - Causeless Anger and Malice - Judgment for Unrighteousness
Key Quotes
“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer.” — John Gill
“No murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” — John Gill
“Without these he is so far from having eternal life.” — John Gill
Application Points
- Examine your heart for any feelings of hatred towards others.
- Seek forgiveness and extend grace to those you may have wronged.
- Understand the importance of spiritual regeneration in experiencing eternal life.