Think of a powerful tool, something capable of incredible things when used properly. In the right hands, with the right knowledge and understanding, it accomplishes amazing work. But without the knowledge that goes with it, the very same tool becomes ineffective, even dangerous.
The convictions of our heart are exactly that kind of tool. God gives us a heart that feels sorrow over sin, that aches with love for others, that longs for righteousness. It is a powerful gift. But if we don’t pair those convictions with the right knowledge and understanding (what we know in our head), that tool can be at best ineffective and at worst catastrophically harmful. We need both the tool and the knowledge that goes with it. The knowledge alone is not enough. But the tool without the knowledge falls short and is dangerous.
This theme is woven throughout the third chapter of 1 John.
As a reminder, the Apostle John wrote these letters to early Christians, and to Christians today, to put believers back on track. He wanted to show them the difference between truth and error, between absolute morality (or holiness) and relative morality. He called this “light.” He wanted to encourage the believers and the church to grow in genuine love for God and fellowship with one another. He called this “love.” And he wanted to assure them that they possessed eternal life with God, and also an abundant life here on this earth. He called this “life.”
From a Child to a Reflection of God’s Light (2:28-3:3)
The life of a Christian is a journey of transformation which involves maturing from a little child to a reflection of God’s light.
The first part of 1 John 3 is closely tied to the last couple of verses in Chapter 2. In these opening verses, John summarizes the main points we will see throughout the rest of the chapter. He begins by emphasizing what we learned in Chapter 2: assurance of our salvation comes from abiding in Jesus.
Then he defines the transformation. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we immediately become “children of God,” loved, even adored, so dearly, as a parent loves and adores their little child. Just as the parent doesn’t look at the small child and see its faults and dark side, neither does God see those things when he looks at us. He truly adores us.
The journey of transformation ends when we become “like him.” When does that happen? When he “appears,” meaning when we die or when he returns, whichever comes first. And what does “like him” mean? It means morally we’ll be without sin, intellectually we’ll be without falsehood or error, physically we’ll be without sickness or imperfection, and we’ll be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. It does not mean we’ll be identical to Jesus; we won’t be omniscient or omnipotent. In short, we’ll be pure reflections of God.
Along the way of this transformation, we should expect several key changes in our lives. One is in the area of righteousness. Why? He is righteous. The other has to do with love. Why? Because he so loves us.
Discussion
- What does it mean to be called “children of God”? How does that shape the way we see ourselves?
- What is the difference between becoming “like him” and becoming identical to him?
- How does the hope of future transformation affect how we live today (verse 3)?
Key Takeaways
- We are God’s children right now. Not someday. Not when we’ve earned it. Right now, fully loved and adored.
- The Christian life is a journey of transformation. We start as children and move toward becoming reflections of God’s light.
- This hope purifies us. The anticipation of what we will become changes how we live in the present.
From Sin to Righteousness (vs 4-10)
The transformation requires overcoming the “impossible” barrier between a person and God.
Notice the subtle interplay between what we know (what is in our head) and the convictions that we feel (what is in our heart). The convictions of our heart are a powerful tool God gives us. But if we don’t use that tool with the right knowledge and understanding (what we know in our head), that tool can be at least ineffective and at most catastrophically dangerous.
In the context of overcoming sin, John explains that we have to have the knowledge, to know the facts. He begins verse 5 with “You know…” and then throughout this section he reminds us of the biblical truths we must know and remember if we have any hope of overcoming sin and growing in righteousness: sin is lawlessness; Jesus came to take away sin; there is no sin in Jesus; the devil is real and wants us to sin; the devil has been sinning from the beginning. These are the facts, the truths.
What is the difference between committing a sin and what John describes here as “making a practice of sinning,” or “to keep on sinning”? It is a matter of the convictions of our heart. Our heart is what keeps us from becoming indifferent to God’s moral law. Our heart is what makes us feel sorrow and remorse for our sin. Our heart is what drives us to desire God’s forgiveness. These convictions of our heart enable us to keep short accounts with sins when we do commit them, and return to Jesus to abide in him.
Yet if we know all these things and then we do sin (which is inevitable because of our human nature), we might doubt the possibility of knowing Jesus, and we might become discouraged and simply give up trying. That’s where our heart comes in, keeping us from indifference and driving us back to God in repentance.
Discussion
- What is the difference between committing a sin and “making a practice of sinning”?
- How does knowledge of biblical truth (the head) protect us from giving up when we stumble?
- Why is the heart’s conviction essential for overcoming sin? What happens when we lose it?
Key Takeaways
- Knowledge alone is not enough. We need to know the truth, but knowing it doesn’t automatically produce transformation.
- The heart keeps us from indifference. Our convictions of sorrow and remorse drive us back to God when we fall.
- Head and heart work together. The facts ground us. The convictions move us. We need both.
From Hate to Love (vs 11-18)
The transformation requires developing the ability to love as God loves.
There is a close connection between overcoming sin (which John discusses in verses 4-10) and learning to love (which he discusses in verses 11-18). In order to love as God loves, we must first overcome sin. In verse 12 John says the reason Cain hated Abel was that his own deeds were evil and Abel’s were righteous. As long as we are slaves to sin, as Cain was, we cannot love as God loves. We can’t even love someone who is righteous.
Why should Christians not be surprised that the world hates them? Because the world hated Christ first. The pattern of Cain and Abel repeats: those whose deeds are evil resent those whose lives reflect righteousness.
In the context of learning to love, John explains that we have to have the knowledge, to know the facts. He says this right up front in verse 11: “This is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” Jesus was crystal clear about this commandment. In verse 14 he explains that “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers.” Love is evidence of our walk with Jesus.
But just as we saw with sin, it’s not enough to know that we must love. Love is a matter of the heart. Our heart is what keeps us from becoming indifferent to the needs of other people. Our heart is what makes us feel sorrow and remorse when we put ourselves and our own needs ahead of others. Our heart is what enables us to see past the imperfections and hatred in others.
Our heart is a powerful tool which enables us to live more and more like Jesus. But we must be careful. It is the same heart which harbors hatred toward other people, both literally and figuratively. And Jesus said there is no difference between hatred and murder. That’s why we must be reminded to do what we know is right in our heads, even when we don’t feel like it in our imperfect hearts.
John drives the point home in verse 18: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Love is not a feeling. It’s an action. And it requires both the head and the heart working together.
Discussion
- Why should Christians not be surprised that the world hates them? Why did Cain hate Abel?
- How does the connection between overcoming sin and learning to love play out in everyday life?
- What does it look like practically to love “in deed and in truth” rather than just “in word or talk”?
Key Takeaways
- We cannot love as God loves while enslaved to sin. Overcoming sin is the prerequisite for genuine love.
- Love is evidence of eternal life. We know we have passed from death to life because we love the brothers.
- Love is action, not just feeling. John calls us to love in deed and in truth, not just in word or talk.
From Heart to Head, and Back Again (vs 19-24)
We can be assured this transformation takes place by using the two greatest gifts of creation God has given uniquely to humankind: our heads and our hearts.
This is where John explicitly addresses the interplay between our head and our heart. If we only ever listen to our heart, if we live our lives only according to what we feel at any given moment, we can get into real trouble real fast.
John realizes that loving others as God loves us is a huge ask, and one that we are not capable of most of the time. Hating someone is equivalent to murdering them? How many times just this past week did you feel hatred in your heart toward another person? Loving someone means being willing to sacrifice everything you have, including your own life? How many of us wake up in the morning prepared to die for someone else?
If we’re told that’s what it takes to be a Christian, John fully understands that we’re going to fall short constantly and as a result beat ourselves up for it. Our conscience, our heart, is going to condemn us, tell us we’re not good enough to be in a relationship with Jesus, to be loved by God. Our heart is a powerful tool, but if we don’t use it with the right knowledge and understanding, it can be more harmful than helpful.
That’s where the head comes in, relying on what we know, on the truth, as revealed through the Word of God in the Scriptures. In verses 19-21 John says that “knowing we are of the truth reassures our heart,” for “God is greater than our heart and he knows everything.” And when we rely on the truth in our heads, then “our heart does not condemn us,” and “we have confidence before God.”
Then, coming to the heart of the Gospel message, John makes it clear that it isn’t just about what we know, but also about what we do. And what must we do? We must keep his commandment. And what is that commandment? “That we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”
See how he comes full circle. Love is a matter of the heart, but it is also something we must do, without question, no matter what the convictions of our heart, or our feelings, tell us.
The Christian life is not easy. But it’s worth it.
Discussion
- What does it mean for “our heart to condemn us”? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
- How does knowing the truth “reassure our heart” when our conscience is weighing us down?
- Why does John summarize the entire commandment as believing in Jesus and loving one another? Why those two things together?
Key Takeaways
- Our hearts can condemn us, but God is greater than our hearts. When guilt overwhelms us, truth reassures us.
- Head and heart must work together. The truth grounds us. The heart moves us. Neither is complete without the other.
- The commandment is two-fold. Believe in Jesus and love one another. Faith and love are inseparable.
Something to Sit With
John’s message in Chapter 3 is about the interplay between what we know and what we feel, between the head and the heart. Both are gifts from God. Both are essential. And both can lead us astray if used without the other.
The knowledge alone won’t save us. Knowing the right answers doesn’t produce transformation. But the feelings alone won’t guide us either. Our hearts are powerful, but they need the truth of God’s Word to keep them on course.
The good news is that we don’t have to get it right every time. God is greater than our hearts. He knows everything. And his commandment is clear: believe in his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.
- When my heart condemns me, do I let guilt push me away from God? Or do I let the truth of his Word pull me back?
- Am I relying on knowledge alone, or am I letting the convictions of my heart move me to action?
- Where do I need to love “in deed and in truth” this week, and not just in word?
The Christian life is a journey of transformation. From a child to a reflection of God’s light. From sin to righteousness. From hate to love. And the tools for that journey are already in our hands: our head and our heart.
“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.” (1 John 3:23, ESV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1 John 3 teach about being children of God?
When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we immediately become children of God. John describes this as a lavish act of love from the Father. As his children, we are on a journey of transformation that will be completed when Christ appears and we become “like him,” free from sin, falsehood, and imperfection. This identity as God’s children is not something we earn. It is something we are given.
What is the difference between committing a sin and practicing sin in 1 John 3?
John draws a clear distinction between the inevitable stumbles of a believer and a settled pattern of sinful living. Every believer will sin, but the one who is born of God does not make sin a lifestyle or become indifferent to it. The difference lies in the heart’s response: sorrow, repentance, and a desire for God’s forgiveness versus indifference and continued rebellion.
How do the head and heart work together in the Christian life?
John teaches that knowledge of biblical truth (the head) and the convictions of conscience and compassion (the heart) are both essential. The head gives us the facts we need: who God is, what Jesus accomplished, and what is true. The heart moves us to action and keeps us from indifference. Without the head, the heart can mislead us. Without the heart, the head produces only intellectual agreement with no transformation.
What does it mean that God is greater than our heart in 1 John 3:20?
When our conscience condemns us and tells us we are not good enough for God, John reminds us that God sees the full picture. He knows our intentions, our struggles, and our faith, even when our feelings tell us otherwise. God’s knowledge and grace are greater than the accusations of our own hearts. This truth is meant to reassure, not to excuse ongoing sin.
Why does John connect love with sacrifice in 1 John 3:16-18?
John points to Jesus’ example: “He laid down his life for us.” True love is not merely a warm feeling or a kind word. It involves sacrifice, putting someone else’s needs above our own. John challenges believers to love “in deed and in truth,” not just “in word or talk.” This means meeting real needs, giving generously, and being willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of others.
This lesson is part of the Abiding in Christ series.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway.