Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
Beloved. There is no But contrasting the two cases, 1 John 3:20-21, because "Beloved" sufficiently marks the transition to the case of walking in full confidence of love (1 John 3:18). The two results of being able to "assure our hearts before Him" (1 John 3:19), and of 'our heart condemning us not' (of insincerity as to the truth in general, and LOVE in particular), are:
(1) confidence toward God;
(2) a sure answer to prayer.
John does not mean that all whose heart does not condemn them are therefore safe before God; for some have their conscience seared, others are ignorant of the truth: it is not sincerity, but sincerity in the truth, which saves men. Christians are meant: knowing Christ's precepts, and testing themselves by them.