by Amanda Baker
I John 5:13-15
13 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. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
I have often taken people to 1 John 5:13 in helping them to know that they have eternal life. But in preparing a Bible study recently, I was struck by the confidence that God wants us to have in our relationship with Him. I believe that 1 John 5:13 was given to us to help us know with certainty that when a person places his faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation that he receives eternal life right then. But what happens after that point? Is that the only certainty that we have? I find a great piece of truth and comfort for the believer in 1 John 5:14 – this surety that we have of salvation leads us to a confidence that God has not left us here to find our own way until He takes us to heaven. God promises that confidencethrough the avenue of prayer. He promises that anything we ask Him in accordance with His will, He will hear us!
It is important to stop and analyze that phrase “according to his will” in order to properly understand this verse. Some might misconstrue this truth to mean that God will give us anything we ask for. I don’t believe that is the proper interpretation of this text. God’s will is revealed to us in His Word. We are not asking Him to do something that is contrary to the principles we find in His Word, but we are asking Him to do what is within His design for our lives. If we are right with God, our prayers will be in accordance with His will. John Stott aptly explains what prayer is in this quotation: “Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God, or for bending his will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating our will to his.” [1]
There is great comfort in knowing that when we call out to the Lord, in accordance with His will, He hears us! Are you accessing this vital benefit of the believer? Do you have confidence in a God Who hears you? May I encourage you today that the same God who gives us a certainty of our salvation desires us to experience confidence or boldness in our communication with Him!
Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
[1]Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary(Vol. 19, p. 185). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.