Cain joined a special class of people when he raised his arm to kill his brother. A special class it is, but not really a small group. Crime statistics show that if you are murdered, it will most likely be by someone you know. It is no secret that certain kinds of love can turn to jealousy, hate, and finally to murder. Family violence can unfold in ugly ways, right in the quiet neighborhoods where we live.

Jesus enlarged on the theme of brotherly hate in the Sermon on the Mount: You have heard of the commandment not to kill? Well, being angry with your brother and showing disrespect for him brings you under judgment of God and man. It can also send you to the fire of hell!

We have a little woodburning in our home that exhorts, “Let love of the brethren continue.” That’s who we all need to be reminded to love. It’s much easier to love people in general than the brother we see each day.

Remember, too, that failure to love the brethren is a reflection of our spiritual condition (darkness) and forecasts our destiny (darkness).