WHAT DOES YOUR HEART SAY?
“This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. “
1 John 3:19-20 NIV
This somewhat obscure translation becomes a little clearer when we read it in a more modern version.
“Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. “
1 John 3:19-20 NLT
Let’s get this straight. John is not saying that our good works, helping our fellow believers in need, for example, qualify us for salvation. This way of thinking nullifies Jesus’ work on the cross. We are saved by grace through faith alone, and nothing can ever change that.
However, John is saying, as James confirmed in his letter,
“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
James 2:17 NLT,
that faith in Jesus that does not bear fruit in loving service to others, is suspect.
How can we be confident in God’s presence that we have done enough to prove the reality of our faith? I think this question often troubles the believer. What if we are disqualified when it is too late to do anything about it?
Jesus told a story about ten virgins, five wise and five foolish. The wise ones took extra oil for their lamps in case they had a long wait for the bridegroom. The foolish virgins made no such provision. Matthew 25:1-13
What was the point of the story? Many interpretations have been suggested, but often miss the point because they ignore the context. Jesus gave His disciples an extended answer to their question regarding His return, including parables that emphasise His main point… “Keep watch, be ready, don’t be caught off guard.”
To understand this parable, we must first see it in its Old Testament setting. The Word of God is often described as a lamp or a light. Obedience to God’s Word is like a lamp that lights our way as we journey towards the Father.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalms 119:105 NLT
The implication, in Jesus’ story, is that a lamp needs oil in order to shine. No oil means that the lamp goes out. The five wise virgins (bridesmaids) kept their lamps burning by continuing obedience to God’s Word. They were ready when the bridegroom arrived.
The foolish virgins gave up on their obedience to God’s Word, and they were, consequently, caught off guard when the groom arrived.
Jesus concludes His story with these words…
“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
Matthew 25:12-13 NLT
To know Jesus implies obedience to His commands, as Josiah did in the Old Covenant story,
“But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king! Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink. But he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 22:15-16 NLT
While the Old Covenant has 613 commandments, the New Covenant sums them up in two.
“And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.”
1 John 3:23 NLT
And so, says John, if we continue to obey His commands, we will have a good conscience, knowing that God knows better than we do, and that He does not forget our good deeds.
“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.”
Hebrews 6:10 NLT
We must never allow guilt feelings to control our thinking. Guilt is not God’s way to motivate us. Guilt is Satan’s weapon against us, his way to drive in a wedge between us and God.
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Romans 8:1-2 NLT
The issue is not about salvation. The issue is about the fruit of salvation. The Holy Spirit in us produces the fruit as we follow His leading. So, when we are led by the Spirit, He will guide us to act towards others in a way that confirms our obedience to Jesus as Lord. Faithfulness to our calling and duties prepares us for the Bridegroom’s return, whenever He comes. When we keep our lamps burning at all times, we will have a clear conscience before God and we will not be caught off guard at any time of day or night.
Category Archives: Christian Life
REAL LOVE GIVES
REAL LOVE GIVES
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 3:16-18 NIV
The world bandies the word “love” around like it knows what real love is. Ungodly people jump in and out of bed with a multiplicity of partners in the name of love. Even same-sex relationships are condoned in the name of love. How can this be?
Our holy God’s nature, character, and dealings with all human beings are all bound up and flow from His love, but, at the same time, His love forbids the behaviour that He knows will destroy us. Real love sets boundaries. It gives and protects.
What is the difference between love and lust? What the world calls “love”, God calls lust. Love sees the need and acts regardless of the cost to itself. Lust sees an opportunity and takes action to satisfy selfish, personal needs.
This is not to say that ungodly people are incapable of showing real love. Many charitable organisations, making no claim to be believers, still do great work to help the poor and take care of the needy. However, real love is the expression of a heart changed by grace, that feels the pain of those who suffer and acts, regardless of the cost.
So, there is a practical way for God’s children to recognise real love in another believer as well as to distinguish between godly and godless people. John says that the ultimate expression of love is the love Jesus showed us by laying down His life for us. Not many are called to make such a drastic sacrifice. Laying down our lives does not necessarily mean paying the highest price. It does mean that we serve each other by taking care of one another’s needs, at every level.
John uses a very simple example. How can we say we love God when we allow a brother or sister to go naked and hungry if we have the means to help them?
Only God’s love, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, can free us to love and care for others as Jesus did. He is the motivation and power of real love.
ENVY KILLS
ENVY KILLS
“This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.”
1 John 3:11-13 NLT
Authentic believers are caught in an insoluble dilemma. They love their fellow believers because it is Jesus’ “new commandment” that does away with all the details of the old covenant. It is also the truth of the new nature that God has given us. To love each other is so powerful, said Jesus, that it reveals our loyalty to Him to the world.
This capacity to love fellow believers regardless of petty human differences because it is the right thing to do, is so irksome to the ungodly that they will kill to to get rid of this offense.
That’s exactly what Cain did to Abel. That’s what the ungodly world did to Jesus.
Is this the real reason that other religions so viciously persecute Christians? Perhaps it’s not so much about beliefs as it is about what these beliefs produce.
Pilate recognised that the Jewish religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus because of envy.
“Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.)”
Mark 15:9-10 NLT
Envy is more than a feeling and goes much deeper than jealousy. Envy takes action. It is so offended by its object’s attitude or behaviour that it must eliminate its offender.
Real love in our hearts, despite the trivial differences that so easily irk and divide people, embraces, cares for, and serves God’s children. The world cannot understand why we can love those who are or were our enemies. This love shows the ungodly up for what they really are, and they don’t like it.
So, this is the dilemma. Since we now have God’s nature in us, to love each other in response to God’s love for us, we are the target of the world’s hatred. John says that this reaction against us from the world should not take us by surprise. After all, Jesus warned His disciples that this would happen.
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you…. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’
John 15:18-20, 23-25 NLT
How must we react in the face of ungodly hatred? How do we deal with insults and accusations?
REJOICE, God is growing our faith.
Jesus said we must rejoice. We are in good company.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
Other New Testament writers follow the same instruction.
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.”
1 Peter 1:6 NLT
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NLT
DON’T RETALIATE, be like Jesus
Real growth in character happens as we learn to respond from who we are rather than react to what others say or do to us.
“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”
1 Peter 2:21-23 NLT
LOOK AHEAD, there’s a great reward coming.
Any suffering we endure belongs to this life and prepares us for the life to come.
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So, we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT
GOD’S GRACE IS ENOUGH, He gives us strength to endure without sinning.
God’s grace implies that we overcome the temptation to react to unjust treatment out of our fleshly nature. We apply the grace we receive from the Lord to treat others as He treats us.
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
THE REWARD IS “OUT OF THIS WORLD”. Likeness to Jesus is the ultimate prize.
Grace at work produces mercy in the heart… God’s weightiest attribute.
“Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin…. “
Matthew 23:23 NLT
Our attitudes and responses will not change our opposers. In fact, they will probably react even more vehemently, with even more hatred when we continue to love.
The real issue is, they are who they are, and we must always be who we are.
WHO ARE IN AND WHO ARE OUT?
WHO ARE IN AND WHO ARE OUT?
“Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So, they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”
1 John 3:9-10 NLT
How quick we are to judge people!
“This one is in and that one is out! ” Unfortunately, sometimes our judgment is based on personal prejudice rather than biblical standards.
However, John shows us how to make our judgments based on fruit rather than personal opinions. Just as fruit on a tree is the witness to the nature of the tree, said Jesus, so the fruit of a life is the real evidence of the believer’s “new birth”.
So, what is the fruit of a life rooted in Jesus? John gives us two simple ways by which we can test a person’s confession: righteous behaviour and love for God’s people.
What is doing the right thing? God’s Word is always the measure for righteousness. He gives us His standards, simply and clearly in His Word. No one who claims to be a child of God can use ignorance as an excuse for not knowing what to do in any given situation.
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT
God has also given us a personal, indwelling Guide to lead us through our difficulties without succumbing to the pull of the flesh. Grace is always freely available for the asking.
“So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.”
Galatians 5:16-18 NLT
Also, included in righteousness is our relationship with fellow believers. Jesus set the stage by washing His disciples’ dusty feet as an example of loving service. Any act of humble service for a brother or sister in need is a gesture of real love. This, above everything else, is a witness to our allegiance to Jesus.
The world takes much, gives little, especially when it comes to fostering harmony in relationships. Not so, God’s children.
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
Philippians 2:1-5 NLT
John’s counsel to his readers is clear. “If you want know who is in and who is out, look at their lives. Do they do the right thing, even when it hurts? Do they care about others more than themselves? Are they givers rather than takers? How do they relate to fellow believers? Do they reflect Jesus by the way they live? “
If they tick all or most of the boxes, then be confident that they are children of God, born of His Spirit, and on the way to becoming like Jesus.
If they do not tick the boxes, then be sure that they have never been born again. They do not belong to God. They belong to the one they serve and resemble.
DON’T TELL ME, SHOW ME
DON’T TELL ME, SHOW ME
“Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.”
1 John 3:7-8 NLT
This business of sinning or not sinning is a line in the sand. It seems to be a big issue for John because he keeps coming back to it in his concern for his readers.
For John, the issue is not about our odd lapses into sin. No one this side of heaven can live a sinless life. We will always be capable of falling prey to our old sinful nature but, says John, God has made provision for forgiveness to deal with these unplanned departures from His will. He has provided in Jesus both a Saviour from sin and an Advocate when we fail.
However, John is not so much concerned about unplanned lapses as he is about those who claim to be believers but negate that claim. By living in habitual disobedience to God’s Word and will despite His provision of everything they need to grow in grace and holiness, they make a mockery of the cross.
The problem is that they have not grasped the fundamental truth of Jesus’ sacrificial death.
The Old Testament ritual of two goats on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is a prophetic picture of Jesus’ work on the cross. One goat was sacrificed to bear the sin of the people pressed onto it by the high priest, buying ritual forgiveness in its death. The second goat took the sin away by being driven into the wilderness.
Jesus not only carried people’s sin in Himself by His death, but He also took sin away, setting us free from sin’s power over us. We are no longer obligated to obey our old nature because Jesus broke its power over us. In one short sentence, John says it all. The devil deceives people into believing that he has the power over us. John says, “Not true! Jesus broke his power by unmasking his deception.”
Paul’s explanation is somewhat more detailed, but he reaches the same conclusion as John.
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”
Colossians 2:13-15 NLT
There is a powerful consequence to what Jesus accomplished by His death.
“Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.”
Romans 6:3-7 NLT
Like Paul in Romans 6, John lays the foundation for God’s people to live lives free from habitual sin by reminding his readers of Jesus’s victory over the devil.
However, this mastery over sin forms
part of a much bigger picture. It’s not just about not sinning because God
doesn’t like it and because Jesus broke sin’s power over us. It’s about God’s
goal for our lives.
“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like
his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and
sisters.”
Romans 8:29 NLT
Sin pollutes, destroys, and dehumanises us. To keep on sinning despite the
lengths God the Father and the Son went to, to rescue us from its effects, is
to short circuit God’s wonderful, amazing, indescribably marvellous plan for
His children, that we are being transformed into the very likeness of
Jesus.
Sin may be pleasant for a while, but its eternal consequences are horrendous.
On the other hand, mastery over sin may be uncomfortable for a while but its
eternal benefits are beyond our imagination.
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they
produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we
don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things
that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the
things we cannot see will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT
We alone can make that choice.