THE
TELLTALE HEART
READ:
1
John 3:16-24
If
our heart condemns us,
God
is greater than our
heart,
and knows all things.
-1
John 3:20
Recently I read about a private
investigator in the US who would know on a door, show his badge to whoever
answered, and say, “I guess we don’t have
to tell you why we’re here.” Many
times, the person would look stunned and say, “How did you find out?” then
go on to describe a undiscovered criminal act committed long ago. Writing in Smithsonian magazine, Ron
Rosenbaum described the reaction as “an
opening for the primal force of conscience, the telltale heart’s internal
monologue.”
We all know things about ourselves that
no one else knows-failures, faults, sins-that although confessed to God and
forgiven by Him may come back to accuse us again and again. John, one of Jesus’ close followers, wrote
about God’s love for us and the call to follow His commands, saying: “By
this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before
Him. For is our hearts condemns us, God
is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:19-20).
Our confidence toward God grows out of
His love and forgiveness in Christ, not our performance in life. “We
know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us” (v.24).
God, who knows everything about us, is
greater than our self-condemnation. –Wesley
*********************************
The
one who receives Christ
will
never receive God’s condemnation.
INSIGHT
Today’s
reading establishes the benchmark for loving others by looking at what Jesus did
for us on the cross (v.16). We know love
because of the willingness of Jesus to die for us, and the necessary response
to this love is that we be willing to give of ourselves for others. The context implies that this does not
require a physical dying on another’s behalf.
It does, however, challenge us to sacrifice our own interests for the
welfare of others as evidence that we have received God’s love (v.17).
Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator’s Love Always
Unity & Peace
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