God Is Greater than Our Hearts and Knows All Things
How do you feel when you are reminded God is omniscient and knows all things? That nothing is hidden from Him? I used to feel fearful, but not any more. Why? Let me show you.
“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. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.” I John 3:19-21 NKJV
First, note that the expression, “shall assure our hearts before Him” can be translated to “set at rest our hearts before Him.” God wants our hearts to be at rest before Him. But this is not the case when our hearts are condemning us for our sins and wrong doings. This is not the case when our heart is expecting judgment and wrath from God. God is only pleased when we are walking in faith, but He knows condemnation robs us of confidence.
So, what does the Holy Spirit lead John to say to believers whose hearts condemn them? What does He say to them in order to assure their hearts before Him and put their hearts at rest. “God is greater than our heart,” He says, “and knows all things.” In other words, “Don’t believe your heart when it condemns you. Believe God, instead, because unlike your heart, God knows everything about you, everything about Jesus, everything about the blood, and everthing about Himself!”
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” I John 2:1-2 NKJV
Sin is evil, sin is destructive, sin is stupid, but the Father does not condemn me, even if my heart does. Why? He knows all things! He knows my sins; He knows my struggles; He knows my pain, He know my weaknesses, but most of all, He knows my Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous. And knowing all things, especially what Jesus, His Son and my High Priest, has done about all my sins, He does not join my heart in condemning me. Instead, He accepts me as I am and then gives grace to me to set me free the control of sin.
In John 8, we have a perfect example of how Jesus’ knowledge of all things actually works in our favor and delivers us from the judgment and curses we deserve. When the scribes and pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, they expected Him to join them in condemning her and to add His condemnation to theirs. But to their dismay, and her utter surprise, He responded in her favor by offering her the gift of no condemnation.
“So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first’… When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'” John 8:7, 10-11 NKJV
Because “He knew all things,” He did not condemn her. Because He knew everything about her, and about the Father’s love for her, He took her side! Instead of judgment, He offered her mercy! And instead of condemnation, He gave her life and the power to “go and sin no more.” It’s great that our God is greater than our hearts and greater than the pharisees!
Child of God, the next time you hear, “God knows all things,” rejoice! This is His way of assuring you that He is on your side and giving your heart rest before Him. This is His way of encouraging you to believe the good news that nothing can separate you from His love, not even your sins! And this is His way of inviting you to turn to Him in faith that He might free you from both the guilt and power of sin.
Hallelujah! God is greater than my heart and knows all things.
A Moment of Grace 