freedom from bondage to breaking God’s law and freedom to live as God’s children. John spoke of what spiritual rebirth makes obvious—not sinless perfection but a life surrendered fully to God. 3:11 Apostolic preaching emphasized that faith in a God of love moved believers to become people who love one another. 3:12 On Cain, see Gn 4:1–16. John assumed his readers were familiar with this grim OT account. 3:13 The phrase if the world hates you shows that the division in 2:19 (see note there) may have