John had just set the test of true discipleship as loving our believing brothers and sisters in a practical and sacrificial way (1 John 3:16-18).  But it is a test with two edges.  The first is the confidence which flows from knowing that we are living in God’s love as we gladly help other believers who are in need. That tells us that the family of God matters to us as much as our own family (Acts 4:32).  It reassures us that that we belong to Christ who is the Truth (John 14:6).

The second edge is that we know that we do not love consistantly as we should (Romans 7:18-20).  We know our own weaknesses, and our feebleness in loving disturbs our hearts. We long to love more, but we feel torn because we know that we love less than we could or should.  What peace is there for us then?  Instead of our consciences assuring us that all is well between us and God, we feel condemned.  And if we know something of the truth about our weakness and failing, surely the Lord knows it all.

But that very sense that we have failed our Lord, and the concern it brings to us, should also reassure us that our hearts really do long to love - as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it (Ephesians 5:25). The false teacher and the apostate are not troubled by sin, but the sincere believer is.  The Lord certainly knows our sinfulness, and that it reaches deeper than we would ever admit, but He has provided a total remedy for that sin in His own sacrificial love.  His grace is greater than our sin (Romans 5:20).  We may condemn ourselves but all who believe in Jesus should know total release from God’s condemnation (Romans 8:1).  We also know that He has put a genuine love into our hearts for other believers; and despite our failings, we cannot erase it.

So we can, and should, be confident that we belong to the Lord as we love His children, rely on His loving mercy and learn to start loving again. All this is possible because God is love and He has put His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).  When we love as He loves, then He is glorified; when we admit our failure and appeal to His mercy, He is also glorified. So let us learn to be open to receive His love and forgiveness.  Then our hearts will be able to rest in His presence, now and when we see Him one day.