Do nothing, be still, and let him love you.

Steve Brown:
Do nothing, be still, and let Him love you. Let’s talk about it, on Key Life.

Matthew Porter:
That was Steve Brown. He doesn’t want to be your guru, and he’s not trying to be your mother. He just opens the Bible and gives you the simple truth that will make you free. Steve’s a lifelong broadcaster, author, seminary professor, and our teacher on Key Life.

Steve Brown:
Thank you Matthew. Let me give you a text, and then we’re going to talk about it the rest of this week as we talk about the manifestation of love, in particular, within the body of Christ. Jesus said.

They will know who we are. For how much we love each other.

And so, every time there’s a division in the church, a fight over a doctrine, a rejection of another Christian, every time that happens, evangelism takes a hit. In other words, the people see it and they know it and they walk away. I was a pastor of a church for some 20 years in South Florida, in the Miami area, and when I first went there, we had courses in evangelism and nothing happened. And then God began to do something in that church. He began to teach us and to love us in a way that made it possible for us to love each other. And in our doing that, new people started coming to the church. And hardly a week passed in that church that we didn’t see a new Christian. Now, we’re talking about the church as the example of God, by the Holy Spirit, in reaching the world. And that example has to do with us and not with them. Let me give you a text, and then we’ll talk about it the rest of this week. It’s I John 3:19 through 24. And John says this.

By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments

the ones he just said

abides in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom God has given us.

And so, let’s talk about the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit’s relationship to the love we are called to have for one another. Now, John recognizes the problem. By the way, you can tell how big a problem is by noting how much space is devoted to it in Scripture. Now, that’s whether it’s a computer or life with Christ. The New Testament devotes a whole lot to the subject of love. And that means that it’s not easy. John starts where we start, knowing how easy it is to live a life of condemnation. John doesn’t give us a system, but the only one solution that is effective. Nothing else works. Now, if you will, I want you to think of the people in your church, in your business, who drive you nuts. If you can’t think of anybody, you’re either entirely sanctified, and that’s highly doubtful, or you need counseling. I’ve started saying to congregations, if you’re new, we’re glad you’re here. Whatever questions you have, we will be available. But take some advice from the old guy, leave before you get hurt. Now, let me show you three things that the Holy Spirit does for the believer in the church and how we love each other. First, the Holy Spirit takes away the condemnation, I John 3:19 through 20.

By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Now, that is a breathtaking statement. I don’t know about you, but I can condemn myself until the cows come home. I don’t know about you, but I know the secrets I don’t share with other people. I know the desires that are not obedient desires. I know the times when I’ve hurt people. I know the sin of my own heart. And if I allow Satan to do it, he, the father of lies, the one who condemns me, will do it and get away with it. And Paul says in Romans 8.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

So, what does Paul say? Paul says.

That the Holy Spirit takes away the condemnation, that when our heart condemns us,

and it does sometimes

God is greater than our heart, Paul says. And He knows everything.

I love Jerry Bridges, my friend. He sent me a note one time when he started teaching grace and got criticized for it. And I still have the note. He said, Steve, are you sure we’re right? And I wrote him back. You keep telling me we’re right and I’ll keep telling you we’re right. And we’ll bless each other by reminding each other that it’s all about grace. And it really is. And so, the Holy Spirit does that. When we’re condemned and there are places where we should be condemned by others. When the secrets begin to arise and we’re shamed. When we have regrets and they almost kill us. In every case, Paul says in I John 3:19 through 20.

That God is greater than a condemning heart.

And the Holy Spirit will apply the gospel to you in the context and the reality of belonging to him. We used to do, when I was a pastor. The choir used to do cantatas at Easter and Christmas. And I remember there was an Easter cantata. And one of the leading characters in this musical, this play, was the soldier who had rammed the spear into the side of Jesus when Jesus was on the cross. And you remember that water and blood came pouring down, and he stands in front of the congregation to give his confession. He says, but I killed him and the choir sings loudly together, forgiven. And he said, but I took a crown of thorns and pushed it on his head. And the choir sings, forgiven. He says, but I hung him on a cross, and I cursed him. And the choir sings, forgiven. And as they go through that section of that musical, that cantata, I found I had tears in my eyes. And I turned around and looked at the congregation, and there were people with Kleenex and handkerchiefs out, because they all knew that the gospel says no matter where you’ve gone, no matter what you’ve done or doing, no matter how often you’ve failed, no matter how disobedient you are, you are forgiven. Now, later on, we’re going to spend some time talking about sanctification and the Holy Spirit’s involvement in our getting better. And we do get better. But you never get there, ever, until you get what I’m teaching you today on Key Life. It’s the same thing that was taught in that cantata. It’s the same thing that John says in I John 3:19 through 20. I think I’ve been calling John Paul. I’m old and I’m doing the best I can, okay? But it’s the same message over and over again. No matter, you are forgiven. And you are loved. Now that is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And believe it or not, that’s the place where you start if you’re having trouble loving your brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s recognizing that you are loved, and because you are loved, you can love others. You think about that. Amen.

Matthew Porter:
Love one another. Could it be that simple? That was Steve Brown teaching us about the Holy Spirit’s relationship to love. Once again, our text today was I John 3:19 through 24. And we’ll continue in this line of study tomorrow. Why don’t you join us for that? In case you didn’t know, Steve wrote a powerful book on the Holy Spirit, it’s called Follow the Wind. Well, we took excerpts from that book to create a special booklet. Actually, it’s most of the last chapter of the book. We would love to send you that booklet for free, and getting your copy is super easy. Just call us right now at 1-800-KEY-LIFE that’s 1-800-539-5433. You can also e-mail [email protected] to ask for that booklet. Or to mail your request go to keylife.org/contact to find our mailing addresses. Again, just ask for your free copy of the booklet about the Holy Spirit. Finally, if you value the work of Key Life, would you join us in that work through your financial support? Giving is easy. You can charge a gift on your credit card or include a gift in your envelope. Or you can now give safely and securely through text. Just pick up your phone and text Key Life to 28950 that’s Key Life, one word or two. It doesn’t matter. Just text that to 28950 and then follow the instructions. Key Life is a member of ECFA in the States and CCCC in Canada, both of those organizations assure financial accountability. And as always, Key Life is a listener supported production of Key Life Network.