Living With a Guilt-Free Heart

Developing a Guilt-Free Heart

1 John 3:18–24 KJV 1900

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Date: May 17, 2015; April 26, 2020; May 3,2020

Introduction:

“At the heart of every issue is an issue of the heart.”

Proverbs 4:23 KJV 1900

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

Psalm 19:14 KJV 1900

14 Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Proverbs 16:1 KJV 1900

1 The preparations of the heart in man, And the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

Matthew 12:33–36 KJV 1900

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Every once in a while, people go into a solemn health-conscious / diet mode. I noticed that during these times, everything eaten is ‘Free’ of something! (Sugar-Free, Sodium Free, Fat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Meat Free, Free Range Chicken Free,etc.) All That means is: Taste Free!!!

The great need that we have in our lives is not necessarily only giving up something; it is also about putting in the right things.

Ex. you can exercise all you want and still not lose weight, until you begin to put the right things into your body!

We live in a society that seeks to produce a lot of guilt in people’s lives…

The devil is a master at loading a person up with guilt…the problem with guilt is that there is real no solution for it because it deals mostly with the emotional side of a problem, whereas by accepting blame we can then begin to identify the problem and seek an answer to it.

How do I get assurance from God that will free me from my guilt?

Note – The truth of the matter is that God wants his children to live ‘guilt-free’ – He wants our hearts to have the assurance of His love.

God balances guilt with blame. Accept the Blame for your actions, and God will remove the Guilt!

(Sometimes there will be legitimate conviction because of sin, but when our heart is condemning us, rather than the Holy Spirit convicting us – we need to rest in God.)

(Long term Guilt is self-inflicted, not Holy Spirit inspired.)

1 John 1:4 KJV 1900

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

John 14:27 KJV 1900

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Note – The birthright of a child of God is peace; to live a life free from guilt, condemnation, shame, and live for God…But how can our hearts be Assured of Peace…..

Note- We can develop a heart free of guilt when simply give our hearts to God.

By giving Him our hearts, we are giving Him our lives to do with as He pleases.

Ill: If I had a friend that always kept his promises, that would always help me when I asked or would be there in an instant when I asked him to be there then I would be confident in that friend as a true friend, well, today we are going to see:

· The amazing promises of God-He always keeps His Word.

· The answers to Prayer from God-He is always listening and prepared to answer the cries of His children.

· The abiding Presence of God-He is always there with us.

I. His Amazing Promises Assure Us-vs. 18-20

Note – Verse 19 – Word ‘Assure’ = Persuade, to make certain, to give confidence by a promise, to confirm, to embolden, to make confident…

A. The Promise of His Truth – verses 18-19

1. Note-Jesus is Truth-He is the greatest Promise that we can receive.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 8:31–32 KJV 1900

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2. Note – God’s truth indicates if we love in deed and truth, our heart is assured – verses 18-19-without hypocrisy,

3. Note – A Christian who practices love, grows in truth and confidence. This brings us to a place of knowing that we are right where God wants us to be.

Verses 14-18 give an outline of the demonstration of this practice.

1 John 3:14–18 KJV 1900

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Note- Many “Christians” struggle with acceptance/assurance from God because they are selfish and self-centered!!

Note-Church involvement demonstrates “loving the brethren”; IE: fellowship activities, special events, weddings, funerals(this is a big deal for showing love!),

4. Note-many “Christians” are waiting for some kind of writing in the sky to change their lives; when the plain simple truth is that surrender and obedience are the keys that unlock the promises of God!!

B. The Promise of His Mercy – verse 20

1. Note- I John 1:8-2:1- the mercy of God is available to all!!

Definition – verse 20 – ‘Condemn’ = to find fault with

Note – Sometimes, a Christian is too hard on himself…But at the moment like that – God is Greater!

See picture of the Ark of the Covenant

Illustration – Old Testament Ark of the Covenant carried the 10 commandments – a reminder of means of failure. But over the Ark of the Covenant was Mercy Seat…

Note – Thank God for the blood atonement…We are weak, but He is Strong!

Turn – Psalm 103:1-12

Psalm 103:1–12 KJV 1900

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness And judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: Neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

God’s amazing promises Assure us of freedom from guilt

II. Answered Prayer Assures Us – verse 22

Most never experience the joy of answered prayer for 3 reasons:

They never pray

They never pray in a specific way

They are unwilling to change their prayer to match God’s will for them.

John 11:4 KJV 1900

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

A. The Definition of Prayer-vs. 22

“Whatsoever Ye Ask”

Illustration – Prayer is asking and the answer is receiving

Matthew 7:7–8 KJV 1900

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

B. The Basis of Prayer

“We receive of Him”

1. His Will

Matthew 6:10 KJV 1900

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Illustration – Little girl learning Lord’s prayer – Got to the end – Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some E-mail…”

2. Our Obedience-vs. 22

“Keep His Commandments”

Matthew 22:36–40 KJV 1900

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Psalm 37:4 KJV 1900

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalm 66:18 KJV 1900

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:

Illustration – Man who went to the preacher – regarding a wayward son – He had prayed for several years, but no results. Pastor asked if there was anything in his life that was not right? (He had ill feelings toward someone…) He confessed it/ prayed, and the boy came back to God!

Illustration – I wonder how many people are not saved even in later life because nobody prays for them or those that are praying have a “roadblock” in their heart.

God’s amazing promises assure us that we can have a guilt-free heart

God’s answers to our prayers assure us that we can have a guilt-free heart

III. His Abiding Presence Assures Us – verses 23-24

An American Dictionary of the English Language ABIDE

ABI´DE, v. i. pret. and part. abode. [Ar. اَبَدَ abada, to be, or exist, to continue; W. bod, to be; Sax. bidan, abidan; Sw. bida; D. beiden; Dan. bier; Russ. vitayu, to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for any time indefinitely. Class B d. No 7.]

1. To rest, or dwell. Gen. 29:19.

2. To tarry or stay for a short time. Gen. 24:55.

3. To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable. Ps. 119:90.

4. To remain, to continue. Acts, 27:31. Eccles. 8:15.

The root word for “abide” is also translated “dwell”

1 John 2:10 KJV 1900

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

1 John 2:14 KJV 1900

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 2:17 KJV 1900

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 4:12 KJV 1900

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:13 KJV 1900

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

1 John 4:15 KJV 1900

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

1 John 4:16 KJV 1900

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

A. He Abides with the Saved – verse 23

“We should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ…”

When a person “believes on/in” the name of Jesus Christ they are putting their COMPLETE trust in Him to forgive their sins, to cleanse them of their sins and to keep them saved.

John 6:29 KJV 1900

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 KJV 1900

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:36 KJV 1900

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

I have a guilt-free heart because I KNOW Jesus Christ abides/dwells with the saved!!!

B. The Holy Spirit Indwells the Saved – verses 24b / 4:13

Romans 8:9 KJV 1900

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Note – John 14:16 – The Holy Spirit is our Comforter…

John 14:16 KJV 1900

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit is our Guide…

John 16:13 KJV 1900

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

I can have the assurance of a guilt-free heart because I know the Holy Spirit lives in me!!

C. His Word is Obeyed by the Saved – verse 24a

Note – A Christian who is Abiding with Christ will want to obey the Word of God. As a result of wanting to obey they will begin to obey.

Note- “abiding with Christ” means “living in harmony with”…a married couple understands what is “harmony”: and what is “NOT Harmony”.

John 14:23 KJV 1900

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 8:31–32 KJV 1900

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Note – Our desire to obey and our obedience assures us…

Note – Continued disobedience/lacking of peace may be an indication of a need to be saved…

Conclusion

God balances guilt with blame. Accept the Blame for your actions, and God will remove the Guilt!

Whatever issues are in your life today, God desires to assure you, to allow you a Guilt-Free Heart…

1. If you are not saved – Come to Christ for forgiveness

2. If you aren’t obedient – Confess and obey His Word

3. If your heart is condemning you – His Mercy is Greater…accept God at His Word….

4. If you have a loved one that is away from God…Pray for them…BE SPECIFIC!!!!

5. Ask God to help you OBEY Him this week!!