We Shall Know We Are of the Truth
We Shall Know We Are of the Truth
"By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:19-20, ESV)
1. "By this" refers to the preceding verses where John exhorts the Christian to express genuine love for his brothers and sisters in Christ. Because a lifestyle of love in action is a proof of salvation.
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16, ESV)
2. True children of God will know that they belong to the truth, because they will be sincere and genuine and live according to God's Word.
" Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7, ESV)
3. The person who refuses to acknowledge his sin is a liar and the truth is not in him (1:8, 2:4) but the believer who actively and sincerely demonstrates his love belongs to the truth (2:21-22; 2 John 4; 3 John 3-4).
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8, ESV)
"Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him," (1 John 2:4, ESV)
"I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:21-22, ESV)
" I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father." (2 John 4, ESV)
"For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 3-4, ESV)
4. The expression here "we are of the truth" is synonymous with the term "born of God"
"No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." (1 John 3:9, ESV)
5. In the heart of every believer doubt raises its ugly head from time to time. Even though you might sing "Jesus is mine" your conscience bothers you at times. God has given us a remedy for this when we love our brothers and sisters in word and deed we have fellowship with God and assurance that we belong to Him.
6. The ESV completes verse 19 with the words "for whenever our hearts condem us" (20a) As Christians we are to subject ourselves to true self-examination.
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
7. Even though we question our relationship with God we can still (and must) turn to God. We must quiet our hearts with the knowledge that we belong to God and that we have free access to the throne of God because "God is greater than our heart and He knows everything."
"We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:6, ESV)
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)
God knows those who are truly His (2Ti 2:19) and wants to assure His own of their salvation.
Although Christians may have insecurities and doubts about salvation, God does not condemn them (Ro 8:1). Displaying love as a pattern of life is the proof that believers stand uncondemned before God.
"But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”" (2 Timothy 2:19, ESV)
" There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, ESV)
8. As Christians we can always go to God who knows us better than we know ourselves. David testifies to this truth as he prays in Psalm 139:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)
9. Because God is greater than our hearts, he will show us mercy when we come to Him, He will comfort us, and reassure us that we are His children.
"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:10-12, ESV)
10. The accusations from the heart are a warning to the believer not to fall into complacency. God is greater than our hearts because He is more searching and authoritative than the heart. John challenges the believer to be thorough in self-examination and to be fully conscious of God's omniscience (all-knowing).
"let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works," (Hebrews 10:22-24, ESV)
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GracePointe Baptist Church
2209 N Post Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73141
Phone: (405) 769-5050