Reading John always makes me uncomfortable. How can one read that to know one is saved one must be perfect, be righteous, be sinless and not be uncomfortable. Who is sinless? Who is perfect?
I know John addresses all that. If you have sin you have an advocate Jesus Christ, the righteous. That I can stand on, as on firm ground. That makes me comfortable.
One spot caught my eye. Verses 3:12-13 Why did Cain kill Abel? Simply because Cain's deeds were evil and Abel's were righteous. "So do not marvel, my brothers, when the world hates you.
I'd like to think if you do good the world will love me. But no the world is really not like that. Take John's word for it. Mostly people in the world will be indifferent to you, because as a Christian, you are not of this world. But some will openly hate you. Think of you experience. Do not be surprised. Do not try to appease them. That is one's first reaction, to try to talk them out of it or make a concession. No do not try to appease them. It shows that you are in the right and they are feeling guilty. Maybe God can reach them through your goodness.
My first reaction is to think "No they won't hate me because I do not do good, I do not do righteous deeds." But if you walk with God and have fellowship with other Christians you will be righteous (most of the time) and the world will notice. They may pretend not to, but they will. And some will react hatefully.
Do not be surprised. Do not marvel. Be wise, do not let them hurt you. But do not appease them either. Let God confront them. Perhaps they will repent and accept Jesus as their savior.
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