Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have looked at 1 John 3 verses 1-3 and 16-18. Today we will look at verses 20 and 21. The Bible says:
“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” (1 John 3:20, 21 NIV)
The Apostle John embraced the love of God like none of the other Apostles. He openly declared himself to be “The disciples Jesus loved.” He saw himself as God’s favorite, because he fully embraced God’s love. Decades after Jesus left the earth, while John was in his 90s, after spending years meditating on the love of God, he wrote a series of letters. These letters contain some of the richest teaching on God’s love in the Bible. After teaching us about God’s love, Grandpa John tells us that if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, for He knows all things. John’s point is that there will be times when you do something wrong. On those occasions, the devil will do all that he can to get you over into guilt, shame and condemnation. But even in those moments, when you feel condemned in your heart, God is greater than that condemnation. His loves enables Him to look past your moment of weakness, into your destiny. He knows all things. He is more focused on your purpose than your mistake. John goes on to say that if our hearts DO NOT condemn us, we can have confidence before God.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- When you make a mistake, the devil will do all that he can to cause you to delve into guilt, shame and condemnation. Because when you feel condemned, you run away from God and you have no power. In these moments, the devil wants you to feel like God does not love you anymore. But that could not be further from the truth. God knew all the mistakes you would make and He loved you anyway, He called you anyway, and He chooses to use you anyway! God’s love is greater than any human condemnation.
- John tells us that if our hearts DO NOT condemn us, then we can have confidence before God. This is critical, because faith is all about confidence. Your faith is an expression of your confidence in God and His Word. If you don’t have confidence, you don’t have faith. The devil wants you to feel condemned, because once you do, you lose your confidence, and in losing your confidence, you lose your faith.
- Fully embracing the love of God is the key to walking in unshakable faith. When you embrace the love of God you know that your faith is not based on what you do or what you fail to do. Your faith is based on God and His tireless commitment to you!
- Fully embracing the love of God is the key to the supernatural, because knowing that God loves you and that He is tirelessly committed to you, frees you from the pressure to perform, it puts the emphasis on God, and it allows you to rest in His dedication to the purpose He established for you before the world began. Once the emphasis is no longer on you, God is free to flow through you in a supernatural way.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I can say this without fear, guilt, shame or condemnation, because I know You love me. My confidence is rooted in Your love for me and Your tireless commitment to me, and to the plans You made for me before the world began. I believe Your love. I receive Your love. I trust in Your love. I rest in Your love. The revelation of Your love is what enables me to operate in fearless confidence every day! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
