Whatever We Ask (1 John 3:21-23)

“Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” (1 John 3:21-23 NKJV)

John treated the condemning heart in the previous verse, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20 NKJV) Now, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. We can access in boldness and confidence to the throne of grace since we have peace with God (Romans 5:1-2). The throne of grace is not a remote place in some space but right in our heart in which the sanctuary of God resides (Psalm 73:17).

Jesus Christ offered a woman in Samaria the living water which will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14). Our Lord Jesus invited the people to come unto Him to drink and then rivers of living water will flow from within them (John 7:38). A spring of water and rivers of water indicate the Holy Spirit who indwells in our heart. The Spirit is our inner Teacher who reveals the truth that we have been righteous through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross in Calvary.

If that is true and it is true, then John adds this amazing truth. “Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” What a marvelous revelation it is! Whatever we ask we receive from Him. This reminds us of the promise of Jesus Christ uttered in the Upper Room Discourse.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 13:13-14 NKJV)

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16 NKJV)

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:23-24 NKJV)

It is a remarkable promise, maybe the most amazing promise of all. Whatever we ask we receive from Him. It intrigues many a people who come to this promise because they experience exactly the opposite. Nevertheless, the word of God never lies even the heaven and the earth disappear. Do not miss that prerequisite of the mighty prayer. It is to obey His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. What is His commandment? Is it not to love one another?

It is not possible for us to love one another unless we come to the end of old life and be imparted His new life. This is the mystery of Christ. We cannot love one another until we are clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ through the faith in the Son and His blood. So, whatever we ask indicates His love. That is what we desperately need the most, so that we may obey His commandments and do love the unlovely brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Love is in want in our humanity now and forevermore. God is love and evermore pours out His love unto those who ask earnestly and faithfully. We must obey His commandment and love one another. His demand is immovably set before us to keep without an iota of compromise or contamination. But the good news is that we don’t have to try our best to keep the commandment. Just as He demands us to keep it in perfection, so also He provides us His power to keep in perfection. The power is love, the love of Christ Jesus and the unfathomable love of the Father.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom andknowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay them?”

For from him and through him and for him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36