1 John 3:18–24
“18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him 20 in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.[1]”—1 John 3:18–24, NASB 95
On Sunday, we explored the complex nature of our internal moral compass through the lens of 1 John 3:18-24, revealing how our conscience can serve as both a helpful guide and a potential source of unwarranted guilt. Drawing on the unique metaphor of the U.S. Treasury’s “Conscience Fund” and biblical insights, the message emphasizes that while our conscience can judge our actions, God is the ultimate, perfect judge who understands our true motivations and extends grace to us. Russell offered four strategies for maintaining a clear conscience: trusting in Jesus, obeying Christ’s command to love, staying aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence, and approaching God in prayer. Ultimately, the message conveys hope and liberation, asserting that God does not want believers to live in condemnation but rather to experience peace, confidence, and intimate fellowship with Him through an understanding of His boundless grace.
On Sunday, we explored the complex nature of our internal moral compass through the lens of 1 John 3:18-24, revealing how our conscience can serve as both a helpful guide and a potential source of unwarranted guilt. Drawing on the unique metaphor of the U.S. Treasury’s “Conscience Fund” and biblical insights, the message emphasizes that while our conscience can judge our actions, God is the ultimate, perfect judge who understands our true motivations and extends grace to us. Russell offered four strategies for maintaining a clear conscience: trusting in Jesus, obeying Christ’s command to love, staying aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence, and approaching God in prayer. Ultimately, the message conveys hope and liberation, asserting that God does not want believers to live in condemnation but rather to experience peace, confidence, and intimate fellowship with Him through an understanding of His boundless grace.
Discussion Questions
1. The sermon begins with the unique “Conscience Fund” at the US Treasury. Have you ever felt compelled to make amends for something you’ve done wrong? What motivated you to do so? How does the act of making amends relate to having a clear conscience?
2. Russell suggested that our conscience can function as a witness, judge, and executor of judgment. Share an experience where your conscience played one of these roles in your life. How accurate or helpful was your conscience in that situation?
3. The sermon emphasizes that God is “greater than our heart and knows all things.” What comfort or challenge do you find in this statement? How does this perspective alter your perspective on self-judgment?
4. The sermon suggests that the enemy can use our conscience to “beat us down” and make us feel unworthy of fellowship with God. Have you experienced this? How can recognizing this tactic help you respond differently?
5. Russell outlined four strategies for maintaining a clear conscience:
- Trust in Jesus
- Obey Christ’s command to love
- Be aware of the Holy Spirit
- Come before God in prayer
6. Which of these strategies resonates with you the most right now? What practical steps might you take to implement it?
- How do you distinguish between a conscience that genuinely warns you about sin and one that falsely accuses you or makes you feel inadequate?
- The sermon quotes A.C. Dixon: “When we depend on prayer, we get what God can do.” Share a time when prayer transformed your perspective or helped clear your conscience.
2. Russell suggested that our conscience can function as a witness, judge, and executor of judgment. Share an experience where your conscience played one of these roles in your life. How accurate or helpful was your conscience in that situation?
3. The sermon emphasizes that God is “greater than our heart and knows all things.” What comfort or challenge do you find in this statement? How does this perspective alter your perspective on self-judgment?
4. The sermon suggests that the enemy can use our conscience to “beat us down” and make us feel unworthy of fellowship with God. Have you experienced this? How can recognizing this tactic help you respond differently?
5. Russell outlined four strategies for maintaining a clear conscience:
- Trust in Jesus
- Obey Christ’s command to love
- Be aware of the Holy Spirit
- Come before God in prayer
6. Which of these strategies resonates with you the most right now? What practical steps might you take to implement it?
- How do you distinguish between a conscience that genuinely warns you about sin and one that falsely accuses you or makes you feel inadequate?
- The sermon quotes A.C. Dixon: “When we depend on prayer, we get what God can do.” Share a time when prayer transformed your perspective or helped clear your conscience.
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