Week 7: 1 John 3:18-22

{"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater thanour hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if your hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him." }  1 John 3:18-22

This one is a longer scripture for us this week ..and so much great info to be gained as a result! 

The past couple of weeks, and the next one or two we are looking at HOPE ..while this scripture doesnt speak specifically to hope it certainly gives us an "answer for the hope that is in you." 1 Peter 3:15 (our verse from week 6).

I think the message of this passage is a wonderful one - speaking of love, truth, being guilt free, confidence ..its got all the good stuff! 

John instructs his readers to love with actions and in truth. Looking at the keywords of this passage, this mimics the message that he heard in-person as Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples in John chapters 14-16.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34-35  How interesting that this was a central message in all three of his letters First, Second and Third John.

This lesson is clearly an important one to John. It wasnt the only one that made an impression though, because only a few verses later Jesus reminds his disciples (John included) ..."If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth." ch 14:15-16 

But, as Jesus continues to speak ..the similarities continue ..."If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. "  ch 15:10

And, "I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." ch 16:23 

John lived and taught the words that he was taught face to face from Jesus!  ...and his message is so pertinent to us today, especially to God's women as we struggle on a a daily basis with "our hearts condemning" us!

I love how matter of fact John is ..."Its pretty simple folks, if you love God then you will show it in your actions, which will release you from guilt so that you can come before him boldly and not be worried to death, and he will listen because you obeyed him by loving him and his children and showing it through your actions."  Pretty simple, really. :)

One more contrast between that last long talk between this disciples and Jesus before he died, and this passage ..is when Jesus says more than once "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you...Do not let your hearts be troubled." (John 14:27) and "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace." (16:33).

How appropriate then, that John would be encourage his readers to this same place of calm - encouraging them to not allow their hearts to condemn them and to set their hearts at "rest" in his presence. 

As all these verses that we have been studying in the Women of Grace, Hope, Peace and Faith series these two passages intermingle so beautifully to show an integration of teaching and learning, of truth taking root and God's word being alive!

...if you would like study with us as we continue to learn of God's grace, hope, faith and peace please join us on Facebook!  We can certainly benefit from your insight!

{Welcome ifellowshippers ....I am blessed that you are here!}

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