The Reassured Heart

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.1 John 3:19-20The normal experience of the Christian life is that our hearts do not condemn us, but sometimes they do. Don’t make the mistake of accepting the verdict of your own heart. Why would you do that when you can appeal to a higher court? When your heart condemns you, bring your case before God. John gives two reasons for doing this.1. God is greater than your heartYour heart does not have the final word. God can overrule it. Your heart is like a lower court. God’s Word is like the Supreme Court. So, when your heart condemns you, bring your case to God.Go to God and tell Him why your heart condemns you. Tell Him what you have done. Tell Him what you have failed to do. God sees what our condemning hearts sometimes forget: God justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26). The verdict that matters is not the verdict you pass on yourself or others pass on you, it is the verdict of almighty God.2. God knows everythingThe fact that God knows everything might seem like a reason for not coming to Him. Other people see me at my best. But God has seen me at my worst. Why would I want to come before Him?But God’s knowledge here is not a cause of fear and dread. It is a reason for hope and confidence. He knows what His Son has done for you. He knows what His Spirit is doing in you. He knows that you love Him.Bring your case to God and let His word of grace to you in Christ silence the condemnation of your own heart.When your heart condemns you, consider these words: “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?” (Rom. 8:33–34).