Essex Remembrancer 1 John 3:19-22 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.… I. SELF-ACQUITTAL. "If our heart condemn us not." The case supposed is what may be supposed of any Christian, which is — 1. That his heart does not condemn him on the ground of allowing and cherishing sin. 2. A Christian's heart does not condemn him on the ground of total insensibility to spiritual things. 3. Acquit you of a self-righteous spirit. Is it a sin, then, to be selfrighteous? Undoubtedly. Must it not be sinful to justify ourselves in the face of a righteous law which condemns us at every point? 4. The destitution of Christian graces is another point on which the judgment of a Christian will acquit him. 5. Insincerity is also one of those things of which our hearts should be prepared to acquit us. II. THE CONFIDENCE WHICH RESULTS FROM THIS SELF ACQUITTAL. 1. We have a persuasion of our being justified before God because the terms of our justification have been complied with. 2. We are conscious of possessing what God approves. "We assure our hearts before Him," because "we love indeed and in truth." 3. A persuasion of acceptableness in devotion is another part of his confidence toward God. 4. An expectation of gracious superintendence forms also a part of this confidence. 5. An assurance of preparation for judgment and eternity crowns the confidence of those whose hearts condemn them not. (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.WEB: And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, |
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