1 John 3:19-20 - Doubting hearts

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20

This was a confusing passage for me. And when I come to a confusing passage I usually check with commentaries to find some clarity. Even one of the commentaries said, "A very difficult passage." I liked this summary best:

The force of 1 John 3:19-20 may be thus summed up: ‘By loving our brethren in deed and truth we come to know that we are God’s children and have His presence within us, and are enabled to meet the disquieting charges of conscience. For, if conscience condemns us, its verdict is neither infallible nor final. We may still appeal to the omniscient God, whose love implanted within us is a sign that we are not condemned and rejected by Him.’ (Link)

So, most of 1 John shows us what a Christian is like and not like. This passage assures us that even though sometimes our heart makes us think, "I am no good, I'm not worthy to be a part of God's family," the truth is that out hearts are not very reliable and God is more powerful than our heart. If we have given our lives to Christ and live like we belong to that truth, we are part of God's family regardless of the doubts of our heart.

Lord, Thank you for giving us clear instruction about how to live as your children. Please help us to overcome the doubts of our heart. Amen.