In John's Third Epistle to his beloved friend Gaius, John gives God's heartbeat for all of us:
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
How do we ensure that our souls prosper?
We walk in the truth:
"3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 3-4)
It's all about walking in the truth, and truth in this context relates specifically to the Gospel, to Grace:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
and
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:" (1 Peter 1:22)
Now, what is one key aspect of walking or being in the truth?
John relates this in his First Epistle:
"20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God" (1 John 3:20-21)
We need to believe every aspect of the Gospel, that there is no condemnation in Christ--none.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1, NIV)
If you feel condemned about anything, then you are not walking in the truth. No one can claim that there soul is prospering if they do not accept that Jesus has cleared us from all our sins, has granted us His life, and we now have His standing before God our Father:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
Jesus is not condemned in any way--neither are we in this world.
In order to walk in truth, reject all condemnation, and let the grace of God teach you how to walk in godliness (Titus 2: 11-14, 1 John 2: 20, 27)
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