cf. 8:10). In addition, Paul assumes that Christians in general have become “obedient from the heart” to God’s will (Rom. 6:17). But we should not think that our hearts are yet perfect, because Paul also says that his goal in ministry is that Christians would come to practice “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5; see also 2 Thess. 3:5). Paul also says that God “tests our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4), assuming that Christians can have hearts that are