[Maximum Joy Series] The Fruit of Fellowship Sample

Just Do It!

The word “Nike” is the Greek word for “victory.” And although “Nike” is a secular company trying to sell shoes and other athletic wear, their motto isn’t too far from what John is saying in this passage in regard to sacrificial love. “Just do it.” 

In the previous verses on sacrificial love (3:10a-18) we were told not to love in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth. Here John explains what he means by “in truth.” In order to get his point across John will explain to us the problem of a corrupt conscience (3:19-20) and the blessing of a clear conscience (3:21-23). 

The problem of a corrupt conscience: “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (3:19-20 NKJV). 

It is precisely when we set out to do something to help another that our heart may condemn us and accuse us of false motives, our own unworthiness, or any number of doubts. Where do these doubts come from? From our heart (conscience). 

In the New Testament, the word you will see to refer to conscience is the word “heart” (see Acts 2:37 and Hebrews 4:7). Where did our conscience come from? It became part of the spirit of Adam and Eve when their relationship and fellowship with God was restored after they sinned. Remember that before sin they were innocent. But that after they sinned, they did have some knowledge of good and evil. Although the gift of conscience is from God, our consciences do not possess complete knowledge of good and evil. 

God knows this, so for this reason we need to appeal to God’s greater knowledge. How? We can assure our hearts by realizing that our own consciences do not have perfect understanding of the thoughts and intents of the heart. But God does. So do not let the doubts of your own conscience keep you from acts of sacrificial love. Arise and shine, display God’s glory all around you. Just do it!