I John 3:18-20
18 Little children, let us not love with word and tongue, but in deed and truth.
19 Indeed, by this
we shall know that we are of the Truth,
and shall assure our heart before Him,
20 in whatever our heart condemns us;
because God is greater than our heart,
and knows all things.
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of John’s first epistle.
Now remember John began this section of his letter by showing us that we are to respond to the world’s false teachers and their teachings by abiding in (remaining faithful to) Christ and His Gospel.
However, remember the false teachers who are troubling John’s flock are doing so by both their teaching and their living. That is, they not only deny Christ and claim to have the true path to spiritual enlightenment, they also claim that it does not matter how you live or the way that you treat others.
Therefore, John has turned to show that righteous living and love are the two key components of what it means to abide in/belong to Christ. Why? Righteousness and love are the two key components of what grace and salvation are unfolding in every believer.
In our text this morning, John turns to show us the blessing that abiding in Christ (righteous living and genuine love) bestows upon every believer.
Verse 18
Now remember in verse 16 John told us what love is. John says that true love forgoes its own rights, comforts, and interests to seek the wellbeing of others. Not only that, true love is to define the whole of our life and our every interaction with others. Notice then in verse 18 John turns to instruct us on how to love FN#1. First, John says, let us not love with word and tongue. However, please note: John is not telling us to forgo saying nice things, or encouraging others, or having a kind word when someone is down. Instead, the picture that John provides here is of an utterly superficial love. Notice then, this love is not a sincere love form the heart. Instead, it is a love that is directed solely by the tongue FN#2. As such, it is love in word only. That is, this love goes no further than what one says. It is not a love that has a genuine concern for the other. Instead, it is cheap, easy, and fleeting. It says one thing but gives nothing of itself to further the other’s wellbeing. Simply put, this is the love of indifference, self-centered convenience, and a closed heart (c.f. v17). Notice then the contrast: in place of cheap love, John says that we are to love in deed and truth. Notice then the difference: here love is a love of doing. That is, it gives of the self and actively seeks to contribute to the other’s wellbeing. Notice then this love is directed by more than just the whims and conveniences of the tongue. Instead, it is directed by truth. That is, it reflects the true character of God’s love, the true value of the other person, and the true nature of their needs. As such, it responds to the real needs of another by an opening/giving of the self. Importance: notice at once the inseparable nature of love and righteousness, deed and truth. That is, notice the inseparable nature of the two key aspects of abiding in Christ: Notice then, it is only when truth/righteousness directs love and only when love puts truth/righteousness into action that we see the true salvation and new life that God has given and that grace is unfolding in each of us FN#3.
Verse 19
Next, notice the flow of the passage: verse 19 serves as a transition verse. That is, it concludes John’s discussion on “deed and truth”, love and righteousness while introducing the next topic of consideration, which is the assurance that abiding in Christ gives. Notice then John says “by this we shall know that we are of the truth” In other words, John points back to true love, a love that responds to the real needs of others by opening the self, a love that is directed by and gives expression to true righteousness and says that such love is concrete evidence/verification that we are of the Truth. Importance: throughout John’s epistle truth has always been the truth about God, His Son, and the salvation He gives. However, remember, this truth is never merely cognitive. Instead, it is always an indwelling truth that directs and transforms one’s life/actions FN#4. Notice then John’s point: when we love with deed and truth (truly love) we see the concrete fruit/change that salvation and grace are working in our life. Thus, we know that we are of the Truth. That is, we know and can see firsthand that God’s grace and salvation are ours and are at work in our life FN#5.
Next, notice the result and blessing that knowing we are of the Truth provides the believer in their daily walk FN#6: John says by this we shall assure our heart before Him. In other words, when we see the concrete fruit/result of God’s indwelling grace, we know that God’s grace is ours and is at work in us. This in turn assures our heart that we are God’s children and that salvation is truly ours. However, notice specifically when we are assured: John says the concrete fruit of grace will assure our heart in whatever our heart condemns us. In other words, when we stumble, the concrete fruits of grace assure our heart that God’s love, mercy, and favor are truly ours and that salvation (not our failures) is what determines our future and our standing before God. However, please note: this assurance does not diminish the severity of our sins nor does it negate the urgency of our need to repent. Instead, it gives us the hope and confidence to return to God certain of the forgiveness and healing we desperately need. Simply put, God intends the fruit of grace to fortify/encourage/assure my daily walk. Therefore, when I see that pleasing God matters to me; when I delight in God’s word/house/people; when I see concrete changes in my life (however small/gradual); when I continue to struggle, repent, and return even amid countless failures, when I find that I don’t like being far from God- all of these things point to a grace/salvation/new life that is mine and that overcomes all my sins FN#7.
Next, notice why the fruit of grace assures our heart even when we stumble: John says the fruit of grace assures us because God is greater than our heart. In other words, God’s grace is greater than the sin for which my heart convicts/condemns me. As such, it is what God says about me (not what sin and guilt say) that determines my future and standing before God. Not only that, John says that God knows all things. That is, God is not surprised by your failings nor do any of them forfeit His commitment to you. Instead, God has known the severity and the particulars of your brokenness from the very start. In fact, the reality and greatness of your need is why He sent His Son to do for you what you cannot do for yourself.
Bottom line: John reminds me that love and righteousness are the two key components of what grace is doing in my life. Therefore, I am to purse with my life (in the way I live and act) the very things that grace is unfolding in my life. In turn, when I see the change that grace is making in my life (however gradual and uneven it may be) I have the assurance that I am God’s child, that my Father loves me, and that His salvation is truly mine.
Footnotes
1] Notice the way John begins this instruction: John says, little children let us. Importance: the Greek term here for “little children” is an expression of tenderness and affection (just like in English- little Johnny). In other words, right away in John’s approach we see a reflection of the genuine love/tenderness that God has for His people and which God calls His people to have for one another. Not only that, John says, little children let us. In other words, John is not laying down draconian requirements for those beneath him. Rather, he includes himself in the call to love. Importance: at once John’s affectionate demeanor and his genuine care for his flock demonstrate the very instruction he is giving. Not only that, John’s approach stands in direct contrast to the manipulative, harsh, and self-focused attitude of the false teachers.
2] “Word and tongue; deed and truth”: notice in both couplets we have the manner in which love is expressed and the directing agent of that love:
Word/deed- the way love is expressed
Tongue/truth- that which is directing love’s expression.
3] Very often you will see love and righteousness pitted against each other so that righteousness is cold and impersonal while love is vague and nondescript. However, in Scripture, love and truth are never contradictory principles. Instead, they are mutually dependent and inseparable aspects of the same single work of grace. Thus, righteousness is always the content of true love. That is, true love always responds as God desires/directs/commands. In turn, love is the way that righteousness is always expressed. In other words, to respond as God desires/directs/commands is to respond in love (never with callousness, selfishness, or indifference).
4] See: I John 1:6; 1:8; 2:4; 3:19
5] Notice the play on concepts: throughout John’s epistle divine salvific Truth always has the definite article with it. It is always the Truth. Verse 18 is the only occurrence in the whole epistle where truth is anarthrous (indefinite, without the article). The result is that in verse 18 truth functions more adverbially. As such, it is love that truly loves. Notice then the point (notice the play on or the development of the concept of truth): Here in verse 19 John says that when we truly love (when we love as God commands and as Christ Himself has shown us- vs 16), we know that we are of the Truth. That is we know that God’s grace and salvation are ours and are already transforming us.
6] Not only that notice the transition from what abiding involves (righteous living and love) to the blessing abiding gives.
7] Note: we cannot forget the manipulation and cruelty of the false teachers here. Thus, as the fruits of grace provide assurance of God’s favor and salvation, they also provide an assurance against the manipulation, guilt, and deception that the world’s false teachers (both then and now) use to undermine walk and Gospel. Thus, when we see God’s favor and grace at work bringing real change to heart and deed, we have confirmation from God and His Holy Spirit that the Gospel (not the world’s speculations) is what God has sanctioned.