1 John Part 12

18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:18-20

I find the phrase "whenever our hearts condemn us" very interesting. I don't know a single Christian that hasn't felt condemnation within themselves at some point. If you have not doubted your salvation, you have for sure doubted the quality of your faith and your value to God. Jeremiah 17:9 says that the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

It seems to me that this verse is saying that if you love in actions and truth, then our hearts will be assured of salvation and of our right standing with God. We do not need to run or hide from God.


The Next Level

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22

Now that we have assurance of salvation and we know the truth, we add to this foundation obedience. Because we are close to God and are obeying him, we then can receive from him anything we ask for. I believe it is largely because we will ask for the right things. We may ask for opportunities and favor in sharing the gospel rather than a shiny new bike like we did when we were children. But I also believe we receive special favor from God the more faithful we become.

This is true empowerment by the Holy Spirit. We quit with the old things of worrying about our standing with God and rest in his power and care. That is when we can start to truly live for him, free from the chains of doubt and false condemnation.