Establish Your Heart in Confidence
Religion and legalism often leave people lacking confidence in their relationship with God, but this is not His intention for His children!
Within these systems, your worth, value, and dignity erode, eventually being stripped away as if you were robbed. Both Christian and non-Christian religious systems have contributed to the breakdown of those seeking God’s truth.
When it comes to self-worth, Christians often struggle because religion has taught us to deny our own value. This is troubling! If we are not instructed on the biblical view of self-worth—based on the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ—we will never be able to live the abundant life God intended for us.
If our belief system is not established in the truth of who God is and who we are in Christ, we will struggle to see the Word of God at work in our lives.
Biblical truth works best in and through a heart that is established, secured, rooted, and confident in the love and grace of God.
1 John 3:18 (AMPC) says, “Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).”
It’s amazing to me how many Christians try to live a life of love yet can’t love themselves. You can’t effectively love others and walk in love if you don’t first know and believe you are lovable. Yes, you must love yourself as God loves you!
You might say, “Oh, Arthur, that just doesn’t sound Christian.” Well, it might not sound like your version of religion, but that scripture goes on to say:
“By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence.” (1 John 3:19, AMP)
This tells me that when we begin to show love and kindness toward others, it’s based on something more powerful than a mere decision or action. It comes from within, rooted in knowing something profound about God that brings true reassurance.
“Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us—[for we are in God’s hands]—for He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him].” (1 John 3:20, AMP)
We can take the truth of the gospel message and pacify our hearts. Why would we need to do that? Because it’s possible for your conscience—or your heart—to accuse you, even when God does not.
When condemnation comes, remember that God knows all things, He knows what Christ accomplished, and His Word says, “God is greater than your heart.”
Verse 21 continues:
“And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God.”
When you embrace the truth of the finished work of Jesus and pacify your heart, you have complete confidence before God.
Verse 22 tells us that we receive from God, and it’s not conditional. Your heart can fully receive what has already been given through the finished work of Christ!
What about keeping God’s commandments (1 John 3:22a)? Sadly, this scripture has been misinterpreted and used to bring condemnation and guilt. The next verse provides clarity:
“And this is His order (His command, His injunction): that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in, adhere to, and rely on) the name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us.” (1 John 3:23, AMPC)
God’s New Testament command for us is to believe in Jesus, the agent of our adoption, the One who did everything for us!
This truth must be revealed to each and every person by the Holy Spirit. When this revelation takes root in your heart, you’ll be like a hound dog catching the scent of something good—unstoppable in your pursuit of that goodness!
Blessings,
Arthur
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