What does 1 John 3:19 mean?
This verse offers the first part of a statement which continues through the next verse. The opening of John's sentence offers two insights. First, what John is about to say, in verse 20, will help a believer know he or she is acting according to the truth of the gospel. Second, his statement will provide reassurance to the believer's heart, in those times when we feel conviction of sin.First John 5:13 will provide a summary statement regarding a person's ability to know, for certain, that they are a believer in Christ. This particular verse, 1 John 3:19, reassures believers: when they act in love, it is proof that they are "abiding" in the life that Christ wants for us (John 10:10).
The concept of reassurance is also tied to verse 20, which explains how Christians ought to respond to conviction of sin. Rather than seeing conviction as a reason to despair, saved believers can rest assured that God will forgive us (1 John 2:1).
First John 3:19–24 concludes chapter three by connecting our confidence in prayer with our obedience to God. While God's love is unconditional, and His salvation is secure, His approval is based on whether or not we obey Him. Feelings of conviction are not only a sign that we are truly His children, they give us opportunity to correct our behavior. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, love is not only a primary command, it is a key sign of Christian belief.
The third chapter of 1 John focuses mostly on the concept of love. Because of His love, God not only calls us His children, He actually makes us His children. John also explains how sin, including hate, is never the result of a proper relationship with God. Christians, in contrast to the world, are supposed to do more than simply ''feel'' love; we are to act on it, as well
