Vs 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him
By what?
Three sources of assurance in 1 John
- Our faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross on our behalf.
1 John 2:23-25, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4-5 - The testimony of the Spirit in our lives. 1 John 4:13, 1 John 3:24
- The evidence of genuine love and obedience in our lives.
1 John 3:18-19
Why is each one important?
Though it follows after #1 and #2 in terms of the overall flow of God’s plan of salvation, why is #3 also important?
vs 20-22 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
How does habitual obedience (i.e. walking in love) affect our prayer life?
How does habitual disobedience affect our prayer life?
Why is it hard to pray with confidence when you know you haven’t been obeying God?
What can we do about this?
vs 23-24 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
All three sources of assurance are found in these two verses. What are they, and where are they in these verses?
Prayer themes
- Give thanks for the assurance (confidence) that we can have in our prayer life because of what Jesus has done for us
- Give thanks for the work of the Spirit and ask for more
- Ask God to help us to grow in love towards Him, towards our brothers and sisters in the family of God, and towards those not yet in the faith.
