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The Gospel of John, The Period of Conference, Conference With the Disciples, Part XXIII, John 14:14,15 - Lesson 131
Read Verse John 14:14, for review: If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
It is the goal of the father and the mother for the child to ask for those things that are in accord with the family name.
If properly reared the child will become mature in his askings.
If properly reared and mature the father will always say yes to the child because the child's askings will be within the family name.
In fact the parents will delight to grant those requests that are in accord with the family name?
And even importunity must be handled within this framework.
A parent must not allow him or herself to be worn down in granting requests that are not in accord with the boundaries established within the family.
Parents who grant requests simply because they are worn down are not teaching the child a clear understanding of the family name.
But Jesus Christ desires that his disciples have a clear understanding of his name.
Because he desires to grant their requests.
He says: Learn of me. Learn my name.
Be intimately acquainted with my name.
My name does not change. You can count on it.
If you learn it I guarantee that it will always be the same.
My name is principled and unchanging.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
My name is the word of God and if you know the word of God you know my name.
And if you know my name and ask in accord with my name I will do it.
So he says in John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments.
I have commanded you to ask in my name.
Ask in my name.
Keep thinking in that vein.
Ask in my name!
Remember the boundaries of your asking.
You are in the family!
If you love me you will keep my commandments.
If you keep my commandments you will ask in my name because you will be well acquainted with the Word of God, that which fully describes my name.
And if you are well acquainted with the Word of God you will love me.
Isn't this the essence of 1 John 3:22? And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, (Why?) because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Jesus Christ wants to answer your askings and he will answer your askings when you keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Why aren't your prayers being answered?
Two things!
You may not be keeping his commandments or you may not be asking for the right things.
If you are not keeping his commandments how are you capable of asking for the right things?
You don't know his name!
If you do not know his name, that is if you do not know the Word of God how can you ask for the right things?
You can only ask for the right things when you know his name and ask in accord with his name.
You don't determine the right things!
God's word determines the right things!
And Jesus Christ continues to provide power for his own to keep his commandments by declaring in:
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; |