ASSURED HEARTS/1 JOHN 3:19-24

Have you ever experienced the torment of a bad conscience? In other words, have you ever done something that your conscience would just not let go of? For many this is perceived as a bad thing, and for some it is, but for others it is a blessing from God. You may be asking yourself, "How so?" But hold you opinions as we unpack this passage before us. John begins with ...

I) A CERTAIN KNOWLEDGE–Vv.19-21

A) John wants us to understand that certain knowledge of the truth brings, to those who possess it, a certain level of assurance. The original audience was in desperate need to hear this. They needed to hear it because the false teachers among them were disturbing them, and as a result shaking their confidence, a confidence that God offers to His own. And, I would say that we live in a very similar situation with a host of false teachers among us. So, the question at this point is, What is that certain knowledge? In other words, what do we need to know to have the assurance offered in our text? Before we answer, consider that John wants his original audience, and all who read his letter to know that they "are of the truth" (v.19). This seems to be synonymous with being "born of God" (1 John 2:29; 3:9-10).

B) The answer is found in verses 20-21. And, the answer seems a bit strange at first reading–"in whatever our heart condemns us" (v.20). John’s point seems to be that, the knowledge of one’s own heart condition as revealed by a biblically educated conscience, is an indicator of God’s work in one’s life. Here we are talking about God working not just intuitively in the conscience, as all are born with a conscience that can know basic right and wrong (Romans 2:14-15). He is talking about the knowledge of what God determines, specifically, is right and wrong, and that by the work of the Holy Spirit in justification and sanctification. John seems to say, "If our heart is not right and we sense the condemnation/guilt of this condition, then we can be comforted that God overcomes such a condition by His grace. Also, if our heart is right–no condemnation/guilt, then God is the author of that too. John knows that our consciences can render us ineffective with doubt and guilt. And these, at times, are the result of failing to love others as we ought. This may cause us to question our relationship to God, and rightly I might add. But, our comfort needs to be that God knows all of our motivations even when others may question them. And, of comfort to us is the knowledge that, we can turn to God for remedy in such situations where we fail or are falsely accused. What a comfort! God uses His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to condemn our hearts about our sin, and this He does through guilt to lead us to repentance. And, He also uses the Holy Spirit to comfort us when we do right. Now we come to consider ...

II) THE ASSURANCE OF THIS KNOWLEDGE–Vv.22

A) In other words, we are answering the question, "What assurance can we have since we possess the knowledge that we "are of the truth"? Verse 22 answers–answers to prayer. But, note carefully the conditions: "we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight." So, being "of the truth" or being "born of God" is further explained as being those who "keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight."

B) It is important to note that John is not saying that someone earns or merits an answer to prayer by being good cf. Romans 3:12b. But, those who are in Christ by faith having been saved by grace, those are the ones who live lives that testify to the saving work of Christ wrought in their lives by the Holy Spirit. Those in Christ can have the assurance that God answers every prayer, but many of their petitions receive a negative answer. God knows what is best for us, and answers according to His eternal purposes–His glory. Christian, your heart can be assured that God is for you to the extent that you keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. John then concludes this section with ...

III) TWO COMMANDMENTS–Vv.23-24

A) Just after speaking of keeping God’s commandments, John now gives us two commandments to consider: "believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another ..." (v.23). Note that it is a commandment, a "Thus sayeth The Lord," that we should "believe in the name of ... Jesus Christ." Only those who put their full trust in the person and work of God’s only Son Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Scriptures, can have assurance of salvation cf. John 14:6. And, again, we are commanded to love one another, which as you know can be difficult at times, yet a must.

B) The doing of these commandments leads to the knowledge and assurance that God Himself abides in us, and that we abide in Him (v.24a). And, then we are told how we know this ... "by the Spirit whom He has given us" (v.24b). We receive the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit, when we, from our perspective, are saved. Then the Holy Spirit continues the work of conforming us to the image of God’s Son. We conclude this section by considering two final passages: Romans 5:5; 8:14-17.