If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. –
1 John 3:21
Pastor Herschel H. Hobbs says that the heart and substance of Christian duty are based on three loves: “God’s love for us, our love for Him, and in Him our love for others.” Pastor Hobbs goes on to say that if you point in each of these directions – God’s love coming down to you, your love through faith in Christ ascending to God, and the love you have for your fellow humans extending in either direction – you make the sign of a cross.
The apostle John wanted believers in Christ Jesus to focus on the right things. One fundamental doctrine is that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Faith in Him makes you His child which prompts you to obey, living your life His way. “Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (1 John 3:10).
As you become closer to the Lord, you become more conscious of your sins – of the things that you have done that you should not, and of the things, you ought to have done but did not.
The enemy will accuse you of not being a Christian because of your failures.
However, God is the Judge, not the devil. The Lord will look at you through the righteousness of Christ… with a love that cannot be matched. This is not a license to sin, but a challenge to follow God’s Word more closely, and to love Him and others more deeply.
You can have the confidence to come to Him with requests. He works in your heart to desire what He wills for you.
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