1st John 3:19. “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” ASSURE OUR HEARTS. There is something about showing love to others in any way we can, That benefits us more than them – it shows me what I really am. The natural bent of life is usually to have others show their love to me, And I put them to the test in some way to observe them critically. The assurance to my heart doesn’t come from others but from what I am able to show. When God’s love is real to me, well then, that love is what I know.
I know the Lord held nothing of Himself back, He truly gave His all. I know when I give from the heart and when I respond to the Spirit’s call. I know the example the Lord Jesus gave when He laid down His life for us. I know I should lay down my life for the brethren so God can truly bless. I know when I fail to fulfill the privilege of giving what I have for God, I lose out on the joy of the Lord and haven’t really obeyed God’s Word.
When I am willing to do what God wants, then assurance comes to my heart. It is like that when some need comes to my attention and I’m able to do my part. Assurance is more than knowing a thing is right because it’s common to man. It involves the self-sacrificing pattern of living that is part of God’s overall plan. If I have expressed love to my brother by responding to meet his need, It gives me so much more assurance of life than if I am filled with greed.
Evidence I am of the truth, comes when opportunities make me aware Of the fact that others are important to God and He calls me to help them there. Those times convince me more than ever, that I am a child of God – I am persuaded that He is able to make that effort result in some other person’s good. My heart is assured before Him so when I bow down to pray – Showing God’s grace to others through me is better than what I might say.
“I thank Thee, O Father, for the assurance in my heart that a work of grace has been done. I know I fail often to meet the needs of others the way I should. I am afraid my most serious problem is to hold back for fear I might offend or be intrusive into a person’s life when they don’t want me to be there. I pray for a more sensitive understanding of how to meet the needs others have in an appropriate way. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”