1 John 3:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

NIV: and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.

NASB: and whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

CSB: and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight.

NLT: And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

KJV: And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

NKJV: And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Godly confidence leads to a bold prayer life. This does not mean we can demand anything, as though God were a cosmic vending machine. However, we will receive everything we ask for in agreement with God's will. There is a two-way relationship at work here. The more a person understands the will of God, the more likely it is that their prayers will be attuned to His plans.

Further, effective prayer is based on two aspects of Christian living. First, a strong prayer life is based on obedience: "because we keep his commandments."

Second, a strong prayer life is based on pleasing God: "do what pleases him." The believer who lives obediently can expect an exciting prayer life. For example, Moses was a man who walked closely with God. The Lord worked through his life to answer many prayers that included miracles and clear signs of God at work. Yet many forget that his close walk with God was based on a life of obedience that pleased the Lord. Those who wish to see bold prayers answered must also live in obedience—"abiding" in Him.

First John 3:19–24 concludes chapter three by connecting our confidence in prayer with our obedience to God. While God's love is unconditional, and His salvation is secure, His approval is based on whether or not we obey Him. Feelings of conviction are not only a sign that we are truly His children, they give us opportunity to correct our behavior. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, love is not only a primary command, it is a key sign of Christian belief.

The third chapter of 1 John focuses mostly on the concept of love. Because of His love, God not only calls us His children, He actually makes us His children. John also explains how sin, including hate, is never the result of a proper relationship with God. Christians, in contrast to the world, are supposed to do more than simply ''feel'' love; we are to act on it, as well

Chapters 1 and 2 introduced the stark differences between those who truly have fellowship with Christ, as opposed to those who are ''in darkness.'' Chapter 3 continues this discussion, with a particular emphasis on love. This serves as a bridge, between John's descriptions of lives lived abiding either in darkness or light, to an explanation of how God's faithfulness gives us confidence as Christian believers.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.

Accessed 11/25/2024 12:06:00 AM