We Will Know By This That We Are of the Truth

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We Will Know By This That We Are of the Truth

With so many different kinds  of churches  and all  of the cults  we see  these days,  one can get  to wondering  if they are  of the truth  —  or not.     The apostle John  gives some help  in 1 John 3:19-21,

We will know  by this  that we are  of the truth,  and will assure our heart  before Him  in whatever our heart condemns us;  for God is greater  than our heart  and knows  all things.     Beloved,  if our heart  does not condemn us,  we have confidence  before God.

Absolutely everybody  is a sinner.     As sinners,  how are we  to know  for sure  “that we are  of the truth”.     There is no sense  in belonging  to any church  that is not  “of the truth”.     Who wants  to live  in lies  and be eternally condemned?     What a wasted life!     So,  we need  to figure out  whether  or not  a church  really is  “of the truth”,  because they all claim  that they are  “of the truth”.

John says  that if  we really are  “of the truth”  we  “will assure our heart  before Him  in whatever  our heart  condemns us”.     Why will we  “assure our heart  before Him”?     That means  we will  tell our heart  that everything is okay  —  and forgiven  —  even though we sinned.     Why should we do that?     Isn’t that  dismissing  our guilt  and sin?

Not so.     John had said that  “in whatever our heart condemns us”  we have assurance.     In other words,  we know our sins  —  we know our sins condemn us  —  we are repentant,  so we confess our sins  before our God  and Savior,  Jesus  —  and then  —  we trust Jesus’ promise  of full forgiveness,  every single time  we ask  for forgiveness.

Some of the Bible verses  that assure every believer  of the forgiveness  of all their sins  can include,

[ Jesus said at the Lord’s Supper ]  For this is My blood  of the covenant,  which is poured out  for many  for forgiveness  of sins.       Matthew 26:28

Of Him  all the prophets bear witness  that through His name  everyone  who believes  in Him  receives forgiveness  of sins.       Acts 10:43

In Him  we have redemption  through His blood,  the forgiveness  of our trespasses,  according to the riches  of His grace.       Ephesians 1:7

We should not deny  any of these promises  in God’s word.     But,  there are churches  and cults  that do deny  the full forgiveness  of all our sins.     They teach  that God forgives “some” sins  “after”  we show our repentance  through their prescribed good works.     Or they teach  that we will have to pay  for our sins  in purgatory  or some other type  of after-life testing  that will take eons  of time.

These are all  false doctrines  that burden the people  with guilt.     If we have any respect  for God our Savior,  we will take Him  at His word  and be free  as He promised in John 8:31-32,

If you continue  in My word,  then you are  truly disciples  of Mine;  and you will know the truth,  and the truth  will make you free.

In truth we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  thank You!”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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