1 John 3:21
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If our heart condemn us not - If we be conscious to ourselves of our own sincerity, that we practice not deceit, and use no mask, then have we confidence toward God - we can appeal to him for our sincerity, and we can come with boldness to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. And therefore says the apostle,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Beloved--There is no "But" contrasting the two cases, Jo1 3:20-21, because "Beloved" sufficiently marks the transition to the case of the brethren walking in the full confidence of love (Jo1 3:18). The two results of our being able to "assure our hearts before Him" (Jo1 3:19), and of "our heart condemning us not" (of insincerity as to the truth in general, and as to LOVE in particular) are, (1) confidence toward God; (2) a sure answer to our prayers. John does not mean that all whose hearts do not condemn them, are therefore safe before God; for some have their conscience seared, others are ignorant of the truth, and it is not only sincerity, but sincerity in the truth which can save men. Christians are those meant here: knowing Christ's precepts and testing themselves by them.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And whatsoever we ask we receive of him,.... According to his promise, Mat 7:7; that is, whatever is asked according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and for his sake, and in faith, nothing wavering, but believing in God, in his covenant and promises, for these are provisos in the case; and such as ask in this way may exercise an holy confidence that they shall receive; and indeed they do receive what they ask for; see Jo1 5:14; because we keep his commandments; not that keeping the commands of God is the meritorious cause of receiving anything from him; for when men have done all they can, or are assisted to do, they are but unprofitable servants in point of merit: whatever is received from God, as it is in consequence of asking, so it is entirely owing to his own grace and favour, and for the sake of Christ; but keeping the commands of God is a necessary adjunct, or, as Calvin on the text calls it, an inseparable accident, or what necessarily belongs unto, and enters into the character of such, who are heard and answered by God, and receive at his hands; for there is a great deal of truth in what the Jews say to the blind man, Joh 9:31; and which may serve as a comment on these words: and do those things that are pleasing in his sight; as keeping of his commandments is; not that these things ingratiate into the love and favour of God, or are the causes and conditions of it, for the love of God is prior to anything of this kind; nor are they the causes of men's acceptance with God, for the acceptance both of persons and services is only in Christ the beloved; but these things are what God approves of, when done in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to his glory: and since he hears such persons that are worshippers of him, and do his will, and has promised good things to them; this is therefore a reason strengthening their confidence in him, that what they ask they shall receive.
1 John 3:21
Love One Another
20Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,22and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Ask, and It Shall Be Given Unto You
By Keith Daniel4.1K1:19:39Asking PrayerMAT 7:7JAS 5:141JN 3:21In this sermon, Keith Daniel shares a powerful testimony of God's provision and intervention in his life. He recounts a moment when a stranger approached him at a mall and offered to buy him meat at a discounted price, claiming that God had spoken to him. This encounter deeply moved Keith and reminded him of God's faithfulness. He also shares a story from his childhood, highlighting the extreme poverty his family faced and the physical hardships they endured. Through these stories, Keith emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's provision and seeking Him in all circumstances.
What Do Answers to Prayer Depend On?
By John Piper1.0K33:381JN 3:21In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obedience and righteousness in order to have our prayers answered by God. He refers to Isaiah 1:15-17, where God tells his wayward people that he will not listen to their prayers because their hands are full of blood. The preacher also mentions hymns that acknowledge the struggles of unanswered prayer and the need for patience. He announces a three-week plan to preach on the topic of prayer, including what answers to prayer depend on and the importance of praying for leaders. The sermon concludes by highlighting the need for confession of sins and walking in the light to have confident communion with God and see great answers to prayer.
The Day of Judgment Asserted
By Thomas Watson0AMO 9:9MAT 25:34MAT 25:41ACT 17:312CO 5:10EPH 5:271JN 2:11JN 3:21Thomas Watson preaches about the certainty and importance of the Day of Judgment, emphasizing the need for believers to prepare themselves for this ultimate trial by examining their hearts and ensuring they possess humility, love for others, a penitential spirit, and equity in their dealings. He assures believers of comfort in the face of discouraging fear, weakness of grace, and censures from the world, by pointing to Christ as their Advocate, who will plead their cause, accept even the smallest grain of sincerity, and vindicate them from all injustices at the final judgment.
Steadfastness in Conflict
By Duncan Campbell0Spiritual WarfareSteadfastnessEXO 17:92CH 15:2PRO 24:21ISA 54:17ISA 59:19MAT 19:26ROM 1:17EPH 6:12PHP 4:51JN 3:21Duncan Campbell emphasizes the necessity of steadfastness in the face of conflict, drawing parallels between Israel's battle against Amalek and the spiritual struggles Christians face today. He highlights that true victory requires reliance on God, as exemplified by Moses' leadership and the support of others during the battle. Campbell asserts that while the enemy may be formidable, faith and obedience to God's call are essential for overcoming challenges. He encourages believers to recognize their responsibility in the fight against spiritual darkness, reminding them that God empowers those who are willing to act. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to prayer and unity in the pursuit of God's victory.
Redemption Through His Blood
By David Wilkerson0Overcoming FearRedemptionISA 61:10ROM 8:37EPH 1:71JN 1:71JN 3:21David Wilkerson emphasizes the power of redemption through the blood of Jesus, which not only forgives sins but also liberates believers from fear and condemnation. He highlights that many who are redeemed still struggle with guilt and anxiety, which can hinder their relationship with God. Wilkerson encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, using the authority of Christ's blood to combat spiritual attacks and to walk in the light of the Holy Spirit. He calls for a proactive approach to faith, urging believers to invite God's light into their hearts and to rejoice in the victory that comes from Jesus' sacrifice. Ultimately, he reassures that through Christ, we are more than conquerors and should celebrate the promise of redemption.
How Your Ministry Can Become an Oasis
By Paul West0ROM 8:132CO 10:5EPH 1:7PHP 4:8HEB 6:1JAS 4:71JN 3:21Paul West preaches on the transformative power of mortification and surrendering to God's will, emphasizing the importance of responding to the light and revelations given by the Holy Spirit. By obeying God's decrees of death to self, believers can experience blessings, spiritual growth, and become sources of life and edification to others. Through continuous mortification, guided by God's Word and empowered by the blood of Christ, believers can walk in purity, maturity, and be vessels of grace and deliverance to those in need.
Praying in the Name
By Samuel Chadwick0ISA 45:11MAT 7:7MAT 7:11MRK 11:24JHN 14:13JHN 15:7JHN 15:16JHN 16:221JN 3:21Samuel Chadwick preaches on the incredible power and promises of prayer, emphasizing the Old Testament examples and assurances of deliverance, help, guidance, and grace to those who call upon God. Prayer transitions from entreaty to command, with no limits to its possibilities. Jesus Christ establishes a new basis for prayer, urging believers to ask in His name, promising that whatever is asked in His name will be done, highlighting the unity and identity believers have with Him through prayer.
Walking in the Spirit
By J.C. Philpot0JHN 16:13ROM 8:1ROM 8:5GAL 5:16GAL 5:25COL 3:21PE 2:111JN 3:21J.C. Philpot preaches on Romans 8:1, highlighting the contrast between walking after the flesh and walking after the Spirit. He explains that walking after the flesh involves following the desires and inclinations of our fallen nature inherited from Adam, whether in gross sins or false religious practices. Conversely, walking after the Spirit entails being led, guided, and taught by the Holy Spirit in pursuing Christ, truth, prayer, faith, hope, love, contrition, comfort, spiritual-mindedness, and separation from the world. Philpot emphasizes the necessity of walking after the Spirit for true godliness, happiness, and assurance of salvation, warning against the dangers of walking after the flesh even for believers.
(The Full Gospel) 26. Proving God's Perfect Will
By Zac Poonen01JN 3:21Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will by asking twelve crucial questions when faced with uncertainty. These questions revolve around aligning our actions with the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, ensuring our conscience is clear, seeking to bring glory to God, and considering the impact on our spiritual life and testimony. Poonen encourages believers to seek counsel from wiser individuals, evaluate the edifying nature of the action, and assess its potential to cause stumbling in others.
1 John 3:21
By John Gill0Brotherly LoveConfidence in PrayerMAT 5:23ROM 8:1EPH 3:12HEB 4:16HEB 10:22JAS 4:81PE 3:151JN 3:211JN 4:201JN 5:14John Gill emphasizes the importance of a clear conscience in the life of believers, explaining that a heart that does not condemn us allows for confidence before God. He clarifies that this does not imply a state of sinless perfection but rather a heart cleansed by the blood of Christ, which fosters boldness in approaching God. Gill highlights that true brotherly love is essential, as those who harbor hatred cannot stand confidently before God. The assurance of our relationship with God is rooted in our love for one another, which confirms our regeneration and adoption as His children. Ultimately, this love enables believers to approach God with freedom and confidence, knowing He hears and answers their prayers.
An Analogy and the Conclusion
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0ACT 16:31ROM 3:23ROM 8:21CO 9:222CO 12:9EPH 3:161JN 3:21Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches about the distinct forms of salvation presented in the Bible, focusing on deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin and from the power of sin. The analogy between these two aspects of salvation is examined in five particulars, highlighting the estate of those in need of salvation, the divine objective and ideal, the role of God in salvation, the necessity of the cross for salvation, and the importance of faith in both aspects of salvation. Chafer emphasizes the continuous dependence on God's power and grace for victory over sin and the need for a life lived in the power of the Spirit.
Two Conditions Must Be Met
By A.W. Tozer0Obedience to GodPrayer1JN 3:21A.W. Tozer emphasizes that for our prayers to be effective, two essential conditions must be met: we must pray in accordance with God's will and live lives that are pleasing to Him. He explains that it is pointless to ask God to act against His revealed purposes, and that only those who are obedient and trustful can expect their prayers to be answered. Tozer encourages believers to ensure their requests align with God's will and to maintain a lifestyle that reflects obedience to His commandments. He concludes with a prayer for the Holy Spirit's help in living a life that is pleasing to God.
Prevailing Prayer
By Catherine Booth01JN 3:21Catherine Booth emphasizes the importance of prevailing prayer, outlining three key conditions for effective prayer: living in union with Jesus, obeying God's word and Spirit, and having unwavering faith in God's faithfulness. She highlights the necessity of obedience as a proof of discipleship and the link between faith and works in approaching God. Catherine warns against Antinomianism and stresses the need for full consecration to known duty in order to experience God's answers to prayer.
An Approving Heart--Confidence in Prayer
By Charles Finney0Obedience to GodConfidence in Prayer1JN 3:21Charles Finney emphasizes the significance of having an approving heart in relation to confidence in prayer. He explains that when our hearts do not condemn us, we can approach God with assurance, knowing that He accepts us and will grant our requests as we strive to keep His commandments. Finney highlights that true obedience and a sincere desire to please God remove obstacles to receiving blessings, and that God delights in answering the prayers of those who are in harmony with His will. He encourages believers to recognize their position as children of God, able to approach Him boldly and confidently, and to understand that past sins do not hinder their current relationship with God if they repent and seek His grace.
Knowing God in Prayer - Part 3
By A.W. Tozer0The Nature of PrayerObedience in Prayer1JN 3:21A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of understanding prayer in the context of God's will and obedience. He challenges the notion that God always answers prayer in the way we expect, asserting that true prayer requires a clear request and a life aligned with God's commandments. Tozer argues that prayer is not merely about asking for things but about cultivating a relationship with God, where our desires align with His will. He encourages believers to engage in prayer as a means of transformation, both personally and in their circumstances, while recognizing that prayer must be coupled with obedience to be effective.
Christ’s Cry to Today’s Church
By Keith Daniel0MAT 5:3ROM 4:52TI 3:12JAS 1:61JN 3:21Keith Daniel preaches about the urgency for the Church to regain its vital reality and effectiveness in stopping the advance of corruption, emphasizing the need for brokenness, mourning, and hunger for righteousness as stepping stones to revival. He highlights the importance of God's righteousness being imparted in our lives, leading to forgiveness, purity, peacemaking, and persecution for righteousness' sake. Daniel stresses the significance of fulfilling the law through God's righteousness, resulting in holy living, genuine prayer, and freedom from materialism, ultimately bringing us closer to God's Kingdom.
Holiness to the Lord -- the Evidences of Its Possession
By Edward Davies0PSA 16:11PSA 51:10ROM 8:16PHP 2:31TH 5:171JN 3:211JN 4:18Edward Davies preaches about the evidences of attaining holiness and how to know if one has received the blessing of holiness. He emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit's testimony, the sacred devotion and fervor of spirit that come with being filled with God, the heavenly consciousness of purity, the fullness of perfect love that casts out fear, the humility that accompanies sanctification, the holy and heavenly happiness, the large effusion of the spirit of prayer, and the confidence in prayer that comes with being entirely sanctified.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If our heart condemn us not - If we be conscious to ourselves of our own sincerity, that we practice not deceit, and use no mask, then have we confidence toward God - we can appeal to him for our sincerity, and we can come with boldness to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. And therefore says the apostle,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Beloved--There is no "But" contrasting the two cases, Jo1 3:20-21, because "Beloved" sufficiently marks the transition to the case of the brethren walking in the full confidence of love (Jo1 3:18). The two results of our being able to "assure our hearts before Him" (Jo1 3:19), and of "our heart condemning us not" (of insincerity as to the truth in general, and as to LOVE in particular) are, (1) confidence toward God; (2) a sure answer to our prayers. John does not mean that all whose hearts do not condemn them, are therefore safe before God; for some have their conscience seared, others are ignorant of the truth, and it is not only sincerity, but sincerity in the truth which can save men. Christians are those meant here: knowing Christ's precepts and testing themselves by them.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And whatsoever we ask we receive of him,.... According to his promise, Mat 7:7; that is, whatever is asked according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and for his sake, and in faith, nothing wavering, but believing in God, in his covenant and promises, for these are provisos in the case; and such as ask in this way may exercise an holy confidence that they shall receive; and indeed they do receive what they ask for; see Jo1 5:14; because we keep his commandments; not that keeping the commands of God is the meritorious cause of receiving anything from him; for when men have done all they can, or are assisted to do, they are but unprofitable servants in point of merit: whatever is received from God, as it is in consequence of asking, so it is entirely owing to his own grace and favour, and for the sake of Christ; but keeping the commands of God is a necessary adjunct, or, as Calvin on the text calls it, an inseparable accident, or what necessarily belongs unto, and enters into the character of such, who are heard and answered by God, and receive at his hands; for there is a great deal of truth in what the Jews say to the blind man, Joh 9:31; and which may serve as a comment on these words: and do those things that are pleasing in his sight; as keeping of his commandments is; not that these things ingratiate into the love and favour of God, or are the causes and conditions of it, for the love of God is prior to anything of this kind; nor are they the causes of men's acceptance with God, for the acceptance both of persons and services is only in Christ the beloved; but these things are what God approves of, when done in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to his glory: and since he hears such persons that are worshippers of him, and do his will, and has promised good things to them; this is therefore a reason strengthening their confidence in him, that what they ask they shall receive.