1 John 3:15

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

(v15, NIV)

John mentioned a few verses ago that we are not to be like Cain. Cain belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. In addition, John continues his point about loving one another. The opposite of loving one another is hating one another. In fact, we shouldn't be surprised if the world hates us. However, we are not of the world. How are we different from the world if we do the same things they do? Do not hate your brother. In fact, if you hate him, you are a murderer.

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

(Matthew 5:21-22, NIV)

Here in Matthew 5, Jesus goes beyond murder. Of course those he is speaking to know and understand that murderers are subject to judgment. However, he goes beyond that to say that those who are angry with their brother are subject to judgment. There is this connection with hating and murder. Some may say that they are without fault since they have not murdered anyone, yet they hate others.

Do not hate your brother. By doing so, you are a murderer. If you are a murderer, how do you expect to have eternal life? Murderers do not have eternal life. This doesn't mean that if you have murdered someone, you cannot be saved. God's forgiveness is displayed throughout the bible. The power of the cross is strong enough to overcome any and every of the dirtiest and filthiest sins you can and will commit. Do not think that you are exempt because of how dirty you are. We all do not deserve his saving grace because of how dirty we are. But that's what it is; it is an undeserved gift of God freely offered to those who will accept it. So repent and turn from your sins and look unto the Lord.