Esvl,
The thrust of John’s message is who we are in Christ. “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God… Beloved, now we are children of God… (1 John 3:1, 2) He writes, “so that our joy may be made complete.” (1 John 1:4, 2 John 1:12) Even in the passage you sited, v.19, after a hard teaching on not practicing sin, John wants our hearts to have assurance of God’s love and so he states the obvious; “God is greater than our heart and knows all things.” (v. 20)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1-4)
The fact that God’s Spirit resides in every believer is evidence of God’s love and with God’s love as our foundation, hope does not disappoint.
We are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6) not by works of righteousness (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3) Jesus is not only our righteousness but our sanctification as well (1 Corinthians 1:30)
When struggling with condemnation however, it is important to understand that our flesh is no friend to spiritual progress (Galatians 5:17, Romans 8:6) and there is also the accuser of the brethren, Satan (Revelation 12:10). The process of sanctification is difficult. “AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?” (1 Peter 4:18) As Paul stated in Romans 5, these tribulations lead us to a hope that is founded in God’s immutable love. We must realize that we are in a spiritual battle and are fighting against indwelling sin, a dethroned despot. As such, we should expect some cuts and bruises along the way, but they should not be self-inflicted!
Of course, we do not sin that grace may abound (Romans 6:1) and there should be a godly sorrow over our sin that leads us to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:11). But, this is a gift, not a work. (Acts 5:31, 2 Timothy 2:25) If God has granted repentance what place is there for condemnation; that is a sorrow that leads only to death (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Therefore, the best defense against any attack of condemnation is to pray for a biblical understanding of God’s love.
Grace and peace,
Matthew
