Week 2 – Wednesday
Read: 1 John 3:18–24
SOAP: 1 John 3:19–20
And by this we will know that we are of the truth and will convince our conscience in his presence, that if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience and knows all things.
Do you ever look at your thoughts, desires, and actions and doubt your faith? (Don’t worry, this is normal.) We are sinners who try to live up to the high standard of God, and we fail. Here, John spoke to our doubts. It is easy to see our own failings in our relationships or our walk with God and feel consumed by guilt from our own hearts.
1 John brings us encouragement by reminding us of the fact that God knows our hearts better than we do. He knows the truth, He sees how we try, and He can read the desires of our hearts. He knows that we really do want to do what is right, even though we fail.
When we doubt we need to ask ourselves, Do I believe it? Do I abide in Jesus? Do I have a desire to love others and to show my love through deeds and not only words?
Lord, it is easy to look at my sinfulness and my shortcomings and doubt the genuineness of my faith. Please send me the encouragement I need to put those doubts to rest and to continue fighting the good fight of the faith. Amen.