A third time Jesus put the question: "Simon, son of John, am I dear to you?" It grieved Peter that Jesus asked him the third time, "Am I dear to you?" "Master," he replied, "you know everything, you can see that you are dear to me." "Then feed my much-loved sheep," said Jesus.

For the reason for our boasting is this--the testimony of our own conscience that it was in holiness and with pure motives before God, and in reliance not on worldly wisdom but on the gracious help of God, that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and above all in our relations with you.

in whatever matters our hearts condemn us--because God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.

Yet

But it cannot be denied that all that the Law says is addressed to those who are living under the Law, in order that every mouth may be stopped, and that the whole world may await sentence from God.

For if he was held to be righteous on the ground of his actions, he has something to boast of; but not in the presence of God.

General references

"Judge not, that you may not be judged;

This too is my own earnest endeavour--always to have a clear conscience in relation to God and man.

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have perfect confidence towards God;