I John 3:19-20 (Part 4)

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By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

THE STUDY:

This morning the word that jumps out at me is “everything!” God knows and sees everything! What is the “everything” God knows? Is it that we are better or worse than we think? Have we failed to love, or have we loved better than we think? God “knows we are basically lovers of the brethren (v 14) and as such, are lovers ‘of the truth’ (v 19).” Is our assurance primarily grounded in our performance or in God’s love and mercy?^[1]

Since the issue here is “whenever our hearts condemn us,” our assurance is found in god’s love and Mercy. God’s forgiving love in the “blood of Jesus” is greater than our hearts. The condition is our troubled hearts, the consequence is that God in Christ is greater than our hearts. And the explanation is that God knows us better than we know ourselves. We can trust his love!^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning understanding that God’s love and Mercy is where our assurance lay. Not how good we are in regards to works but how good God is! Not in our occupation (pastor, teacher, etc …) but in God’s occupation: HOLINESS!

• We also walk away understanding that this love and mercy is not something to be taken for granted. Accepting God and his love and mercy is an act that is initiated by us. This love and mercy can also be rejected and left behind by the same person: US!

CONCLUSION:

           What I find so amazing about God is that he sees us for who we can become and not who we are at moments in our lives. Those moments that are not very appealing. I am reminded of times in my life that I have said something, did something, or acted out over something in a very ungodly way. I would look in the mirror afterwards and think to myself, “I don’t like who I see or what I did!” If it was up to me I would have done away with myself. But God didn’t just see those ungodly acts, He saw who I was to become. For that, I am so thankful!

          This morning, you may have said something or did something, recently, that you are not too proud of. I want to encourage you by letting you know that God has seen what happened but He also sees who you can become. Ask God to forgive you and move toward that person God know you can become.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (127). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (127). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 3:19-20 (Part 3)

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By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

THE STUDY:

          Why is it that our hearts will tell us one thing but our mind seems to contradict it? The heart may not be a reliable indicator. We may live under self-condemnation, although our actual spiritual condition, known better by God than by us, is secure. A troubled heart may reflect an unnecessarily anxious condition, lacking in trust. But God is “greater than our hearts;” his mercy is the deciding word. He is more merciful to us than is our own conscience. John wants his readers to find their assurance from God, who in spite of knowing “everything” about us yet loves us immensely.^[1]

          If I ponder on something from my past long enough I can fell a sense of guilt. I don’t like what I have done in my past but I have been forgiven and that is where I need to place my faith. My heart may still feel the guilt of it but as for my salvation, due to my repentant heart, I am a child of the King. What I need to do is ask the Holy Spirit to remove this guilt so I can live a life that is fully free in Christ. Just as John has stated in this verse, “for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart!”

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that our spiritual condition is not always dictated correctly by the feelings of our heart. Forgiveness of sin is one thing but guilt of that sin is another. Self-condemnation is not something that directly effects our salvation but our heart. Let God have the guilt as well as the sin and then live a life that is free in Christ.

CONCLUSION:

           A young man found himself divorced and his little girl no longer lived with him. He had visitation rights but as for time with his daughter, it was very limited. Through this situation the father found Christ and went on to live a successful life. He was forgiven of the sins of the past but he always felt the guilt of his daughter not knowing what it was like to have two parents living under the same roof and raising her.  

          In order to live a life free in Christ, the father surrendered that guilt to Jesus and now lives in the fullness of Christ. As for the daughter, she has grown up to be a beautiful young lady and has a wonderful relationship with her dad.

          Don’t let Satan try and take away your Joy in the Lord. Surrender it all (sins and guilt) to Christ and live is His full love!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (127). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.