1 John 3:21

1 John 3:21

This verse connects inner confidence with righteous living: “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” The flip side of 3:20 is the experience of assurance when the heart remains untroubled by unresolved guilt. It’s not a call to complacency but to relational integrity—confidence to approach God in prayer arises from living in truth and love. The verse sits within the Johannine pattern of testing belief by love and obedience.

Assurance and access to God go hand in hand. If one’s heart remains uncondemned due to repentance and faith, believers may approach God with boldness. This emphasizes the relational nature of prayer and the intimate Fatherhood God offers to those who walk in truth and righteousness.

Practice honest self-examination, preemptive confession, and proactive reconciliation. When your heart remains at peace, approach God confidently—pray about decisions, seek wisdom, and express gratitude. If guilt resurfaces, revisit 1 John 3:20–21 for reassurance, then align actions with truth to maintain the assurance.

Cross-References: Hebrews 4:14–16; Romans 5:1–2; 1 John 2:28; James 4:8; Psalm 32:5