1 John 3:18-24: a reflection

18My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. 19And by this we know that we are of the truth and persuade our hearts before him, 20because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; 22so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. 23This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded. 24He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

John, urging his readers to love in deed and not merely in word, adds a tender word for those whose hearts trouble them. By this, he says, we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. For the believer troubled by a self-accusing conscience, John offers this comfort: God is greater than our condemning heart, and knows all things.

Notice the comfort here for the self-condemning heart. Many sincere believers are troubled by hearts that condemn them, consciences that accuse, a lingering sense that they are not truly right with God. To such John says: God is greater than your heart. Your accusing heart is not the final judge; God is, and he is greater than your heart, and knows everything, including the sincerity of your faith and love that your condemning heart may overlook. His verdict, not your heart's, is what matters.

That is a deeply reassuring word. When our hearts condemn us, we can feel there is no appeal, that the accusing voice within has the final say. But God is greater than our heart. He knows all things, including the reality of the faith and love he has worked in us, which our self-accusing hearts may not see. If you are troubled by a condemning conscience, do not let it be your final judge; God is greater than your heart. Rest, not in your own heart's shifting verdict, but in God, who knows all things and is greater than your accusing heart. His mercy and his knowledge are greater than your self-condemnation; bring your troubled heart to him, and rest in the God who is greater than your heart.

Lord, John, urging me to love in deed and truth, adds a tender word for the troubled heart: whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows everything. Comfort me with that for my self-condemning heart. I can be troubled by a heart that condemns me, a conscience that accuses, a lingering sense that I am not truly right with you. To this you say: you are greater than my heart. My accusing heart is not the final judge; you are, and you are greater than my heart, and know everything, including the sincerity of the faith and love you have worked in me, which my condemning heart may overlook. When my heart condemns me, keep me from letting it be my final judge; you are greater than my heart. Help me rest, not in my own heart's shifting verdict, but in you, who know all things and are greater than my accusing heart. Your mercy and your knowledge are greater than my self-condemnation; I bring my troubled heart to you, and rest in the God who is greater than my heart.