We all have it.  Even those that have it all have it too.  Everyone has anxiety.  Especially those we think should not have it.  We think we can make it go away by resolving the dilemma at its root.  But we never seem quite able to root it out.  King Solomon had it all from the world’s standards; riches, relationships, hobbies, success in his work, wisdom.  You name it, he had it, but there was still a nagging anxiety regarding purpose and permanence that kept him awake at night.

As an aging Solomon reflected on his accomplishments, he wrote in melancholy terms,

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
    vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What does man gain by all the toil
    at which he toils under the sun?

And even more shocking and angsty.

Sorrow is better than laughter,
    for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
    but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

For all Solomon had, he still struggled with anxiety.  The ultimate anxiety.  What does life come to?  Where is its purpose and permanence?  What will it all amount to when it comes to its end?  Is there life after death? And what will it look like?  How will I ever explain my life and choices to a Holy Judge?  Solomon knew that nothing brought deep reflection and surfaced anxiety like sorrow and “the house of mourning.” 

How do I stand before God?  Have I believed enough?  Done enough? Been enough? Loved enough?  Grace, for all its gifts, sometimes makes us anxious.  It seems too free, too easy, too… gracious.  We know that the answers to all the questions above would always be ‘No.’  We will never believe, do, be, love enough to merit God’s favor apart from the work of the Spirit working faith in Christ in our heart.  But still, we are unsure if we are safe and sure in Christ.

The antichrists in the Apostle John’s Day said, “don’t sweat it.”  Live your life however you want.  Don’t worry too much about Jesus, after all he was just a teacher and example, nothing more.  You can know God through secret knowledge not through faith in Christ as taught by the Prophets and Apostles.  But those tempted by such false teaching found no assurance in it but also struggled with assurance as true followers of Christ.

So John writes to them to believe in the person and work of Christ as taught by the Apostles and to love one another as Christ has loved each of them.   But what if they have not believed enough?  Or loved enough?  What if they have fallen short in those things which are marks of Chrisitan assurance?  What relief is there from this anxiety?  How do I find assurance in the face of my doubts about myself and my faith?

Join us as we examine 1 John 3:19-24 and consider John’s comforting words to those struggling with doubt.  We meet on the square in Pottsville, right next to historic Potts’ Inn at 10:30 am for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join our livestream on YouTube.