See,1st John 3:17-24
John had been talking about the expression of God's love through Christ. He is our example of laying down His life for us, and that this is what we ought to do as well, lay down our lives ( live sacrificially on behalf of others ) for the brethren.
Here, he gives an example of this love, or the failure to show it in action.
If you have material goods, and you see a brother in need, yet, you shut up your heart from him, how does the love of God dwell in you? If you have say, food, and you are with a christian brother who literally has no food, and you keep your food, and don't share it with him that has none, is that an expression of God's love in you.
Let's not love just in word, but in deed and in truth. Let's not just talk about it, but actually show it in the way we act and live is what John is saying. Let's walk our talk as they say. Live out what you say, live out who you are. Walk in love towards others, in the most practical of ways.
This love that is shown, is one of the ways we know we are of the truth......and, it's how we assure our hearts before Him.
In other words, for the person who does more then say they are in the truth, or that they are saved, or that they are in Christ, etc, they will have an assurance. They will know that they are of the truth. Again, your life's actions say something about if you are truly in the light, in the truth etc, etc. Actions bring assurance. Works bring assurance, and a knowing that you are in the truth etc.
In the remaining verses in this this chapter, John deals with the subject, of "if our heart condemns us"
First of all, God is greater than our heart.
Secondly, God knows all things.
Then, to further explain this, he says, that if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
Why did he say this about "our hearts condemning us" Well, because our hearts can do that from time to time. Even if we are indeed Christians, we can begin to experience condemnation. Condemn here, means to find fault with, to blame, to accuse. The Christian can find themselves being condemned. What John was saying, is that even though your heart may do that, God knows what's true about you. He knows all things. He knows not only your profession of faith, but He knows your practice of faith.
Then, John talks about prayer, which can include asking, and receiving from God.
Three things are said here.....
1. Whatever we ask we receive from Him.
2. Because we keep His commandments.
3. And do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
This teaching about prayer here, does not mean a person just prays and always gets from God what they were asking for. No, it's qualified with a couple of things. It's those who ask from Him. And, it's those who keep His commandments, and it's those who do those things that are pleasing to Him. This really speaks of disciples who want to do the will of God, and will in fact find the will of God taking place in their lives as they walk with Him, and ask of Him etc, etc.
The chapter ends with a clarification of "the commandment" It's simple.
We should believe in Jesus Christ.
And love one another.
And, this is the commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
