I John 3:18-24

Introduction

The condition of our heart vs. 19-21

the first condition of our heart is an assuring heart vs. 19

Notice the phrase “we are of the truth”

This phrase comes from Jesus in John 18:37 “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

God uses many things to give us assurance of our salvation

The Word of God

God’s word assures of our salvation.

The Work of Christ

His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and the intercession he makes on our behalf, give us the assurance that when we get saved, nothing can take it away. Our sin debt has been paid in FULL.

The Witness of the Spirit

When Jesus was preparing His disciples for his death he told them another comforter would come, and that was the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit convicts, confirms and comforts the believer.

One writer said this “Here, John adds the assurance that comes from translating pious (godly) affirmations into positive action”

Good works are not the ground of our salvation, they are a result of it and because of that they help confirm in our heart, that our faith is not in vain.

The second condition of our heart is the condemning heart vs. 20

At times our own heart makes us feel guilty, the thing about feelings is they are subjective, so John reminds us of facts.

When our heart condemns us, it is a fact that God is infinitely better than our heart.

I think we can all agree that there are times when we let ourselves down when we can’t even meet our own expectations, let alone God’s.

Look what the Bible calls our heart in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Even as believers, sometimes we find our hearts full of pride, anger, bitterness, resentment, lust and we are tempted to question if we are saved at all.

Phillips said this “At such times it is comforting to know that God is greater than our hearts and that our salvation does not depend on how we feel, but upon God.

When we experience salvation, it starts with facts- I am a sinner who has sinned against a Holy God, therefore I need a saviour. Then it moves to faith - We place our faith in Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the whole world, the saviour necessary for Salvation, then it leads to feeling- This happens as we enter in to the joy of our salvation, living a spirit filled life producing the fruit of the Spirit.

Even when we have a condemning heart, God is greater. The salvation he paid for with the shed blood of his son Jesus Christ, has paid for all of our sins, including those times when we fall short of the higher and holier life we have been called too.

The third condition of our heart is a confident heart vs. 21

I think one of the most amazing thing about the finished work of the cross is the access we now have to the throne of God.

In the old testament only the high priest could approach the throne of God on the annual day of Atonement.

On that day the high priest, as the representative of all Israel entered through the veil into the Holy of Holies itself, observing the most elaborate ritual precautions. In one hand a burning incense and in the other a basin of blood as he approached the throne and sprinkled the blood before and on that throne, deferring the payment another year.

In the New Testament the Great High Priest went to heaven and presented His own precious blood to God, and because of that Ephesians 1:6 tells us we are accepted in the Beloved.

When Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple was torn in two giving us access to the throne.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 10:19–22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Because of the cross of Christ we can have confidence toward God.

The condition of our request vs. 22-24

Follow his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight vs. 22

William Carey said this in one of his famous sermons “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God”

Someone else said “pray as if it all depends on God, work as if it all depends on you”

When it comes to asking things from God, we should do his commandments and the things that are pleasing in His sight.

One commentator said this convicting thing “It is little use praying if we are lazy, careless and lax in our spiritual disciplines, we cannot expect God to answer our prayers unless we “do those things that are pleasing in His sight”

The Commandments given vs. 23

The first command is the most important command

“Believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ”

Philippians 2:9–11“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus gave his disciple this same command in John 14:13–15 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Love one another

This is one of the themes of first John is Love

John 15:12–16 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

We are to be known for our love for others

The promise of keeping the commandments vs. 24

When we keep Gods commandments, he dwells in us

What a thought, When Jesus was here on earth he dwelt with us, and now he dwells in us through the Holy Spirit.

It is impossible to keep his commandments if we are not filled with the spirit which is how Christ dwells in us.

From the Moment of salvation until the final redemption in resurrection, the Holy Spirit is involved in the whole process

John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Romans 8:23 “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

The final question answered is how do we know if Christ dwells in