1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And what a beautiful wintry, Lazy-day Saturday it is my people. It’s windy and cold, with lots of snow from our two recent snowfalls piled up on the banks, but being beautifully displayed by the light of the sparkling sun. It’s winter at it most beautiful. Remember, everything God’s made, is beautiful in its own way. (smile) And having said that, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday prayer with all sincerity and truth.
As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And if our prayer was sincere, then we can expect to feel the Lord’s warming, peaceful and calming presence soon overtaking our souls, bodies, minds and spirits. For, as John so rightly tells us in his first epistle: ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired (asked) of him.’ (1 John 5:13-15)
And believe me, asking God to come into our hearts, and bring His awesome presence of peace and LOVE, so that we can know Him more, is probably His greatest desire, and therefore He can never turn away such a request. That brings us to this earlier passage from John’s epistle, where he puts it in a fuller and more practical context. He writes: ‘My little children, let us not LOVE in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure (persuade) our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask we receive of 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. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath given us.’ (1 John 3:18-24)
Yes friends, that’s as brief and good an explanation you can get about our relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Father, our Triune God! So, let’s break it down some. Right at the beginning John stresses one of the most important tenets of our faith; not to LOVE only through vain and insincere words, but with sincere hearts and good actual deeds. And as to the interaction between vs.18 &19, re believers are of the truth: The scholars opine: ‘John seems to be saying that assurance of salvation comes in part as one reaches out actively in caring for others.’ And that’s something we are definitely called on to do!
Then as per vs. 20, the scholars explain: ‘In light of John’s strict teaching above, he may have felt that some readers might begin to despair. He assures them that, although our feeble attempts to honour God may leave us feeling defeated inside, God is greater than our self-awareness (cf. 1 Cor. 4:4) and can justify us even when we would condemn ourselves. He sees not only our actions, which at times are thwarted or misguided, but also the motives and intentions behind them.’ That’s why it’s oh so important to have right motives in all we do, because it’s those the Lord looks at, not merely our outward actions.
And as per verses 21 & 22, the scholars declare: ‘We have confidence toward God if our lives are in in line with the standard of Christian living set forth above. John is not saying that whether a person is right or wrong is simply a matter of how he subjectively feels about himself. That is why John has given so many indicators and commands for Christians to take note of and assess themselves by. And one of the great results of a life lived in purity before God is a life where there is effective prayer. Right living is an important part of successful praying.’ And that’s the indisputable truth friends! You cannot have a successful prayer life if you’re not living right, and vice versa.
Then as per vs. 23, the scholars say: ‘John has already set forth the importance of true faith in Christ and true LOVE for others. Now he combines the two.’ And we know very well what that means, for Jesus told us about the two great commandments in Matt. 22:37-40. That’s LOVING God, your neighbour and yourself. Then later on in the gospel of John, several times He reiterates: ‘This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you.’ (John 15:12)
And that last verse (24) vividly reminds us of Jesus words in John 15, where He says: ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:4-5) And for good measure, the scholars tell us: ‘The Sprit gives internal assurance to corroborate the external testimony of true faith, active LOVE, and consistent obedience.’
And that’s a very good statement to ponder on this lazy-day winter Saturday my people: How much internal assurance do we possess because of those three characteristics in our lives? And whatever the answer, let’s turn to God and ask for His help to improve, because we all need improvement! Much LOVE!
…one cannot please God…unless you are obeying His commandments…from a sincere heart…
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